WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vehicle, fence damage at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex

SATURDAY REPORT: Thanks to David for the photo. This scene at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex followed reports in the 4 am hour of an unoccupied car rolling downhill, doors open, near 29th/Cloverdale, and of two drivers doing donuts in the NCSWAC lot, with one reportedly crashing through a fence. We’ve listened to archived police communication related to the incident; officers called in a white Hyundai Elantra that hadn’t been reported as stolen but had months-expired registration. David says reckless driving/vehicle stunts in the NCSWAC parking lot and vicinity “has been an ongoing problem in this neighborhood for years.”

SUNDAY UPDATE: David says neighbors reported a second car was rolled down the embankment too, but towed quickly, so only one was left by the time the photo above was taken.

7 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vehicle, fence damage at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex"

  • Neighbor Lead October 11, 2025 (11:27 pm)

    I went to the bathroom at 5am and I heard the big crash. Earlier there were two cars doing donuts about 430am. I went outside when the fire truck drove past and the newer Toyota Sienna mini van jetted out of the parking lot and drove uphill past my house turning left going over the 30th AVE speed bumps at high rate of speed heading southbound. Sadly nobody cares enough to lock down the parking lot after 11pm. 

  • Tom Gass October 12, 2025 (9:29 am)

    They used to have gates up but vandals just crashed through them. They need crash rated removable bollards if those exist.

  • David Axt October 12, 2025 (11:53 am)

    A simple solution would be to install parking bumper blocks. These would not have to be at every parking space, but at strategic locations. I have reached out to the Seattle School District about this idea, but their answer is always that they don’t have the money. They never have enough money to prevent a problem, but somehow have more money to repair the preventable damage. In the past, I have seen two light poles knocked over due to reckless driving in that parking lot. I bet that was not a cheap fix either.

    • Tom Gass October 13, 2025 (9:52 am)

      Like it. And agreed. I know the head groundskeeper and the school district is much more reactive than proactive.

      • SPS October 14, 2025 (3:39 pm)

        Security is unwilling to lock at night and as the groundskeeper I don’t feel safe locking by myself at night…. I’ve reached out a hundred times about bollards speed bumps anything the school district doesn’t care 

  • Tom Gass October 14, 2025 (8:10 am)

    Another day, another car….

  • Tim D October 19, 2025 (3:14 pm)

    I can hear AND see the idiots doing donuts from my deck and call the cops every.single.time…but it isn’t a priority and by the time they get there…*poof* idiots disappear. 

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