WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: CSI mystery in Admiral; more missing mail

CSI MYSTERY IN ADMIRAL: We received some questions about that Seattle Police CSI parked outside the Springline Apartments (3220 California SW) in South Admiral for hours today and into the evening. Nothing on the SPD map nor anyplace else that might hint at an investigation, so we asked SPD, getting what amounted to a “no comment” response from spokesperson Det. Eric Muñoz: “This is an open and active investigation that our detectives are currently working on. We will release information to the public as soon as we can. Likely by the end of the work week.” Neighbors say SPD personnel were seen going into and out of the complex’s southernmost building; we also received a report today of a heavy law-enforcement presence in the area early Tuesday.

MORE MISSING MAIL: Also in South Admiral, the recipient of some of the stolen-then-returned mail mentioned here a week and a half ago reports, “Our mailbox serves 8 townhome units and hasn’t shown any obvious signs of being pried open. I heard from a neighbor (Monday) night that she’s missing a couple more recent packages so I’m concerned someone may still have access.”

Erik February 4, 2026 (10:56 pm)

Please follow up with a post. I live in this building and management has not told us anything.

ddd February 4, 2026 (11:02 pm)

The SPD CSI unit should know better than to park “for hours” in a fire zone. They’re blocking access to the hydrant.

CarDriver February 5, 2026 (6:00 am)

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If there’s a fire you’re welcome to say “I told you so”
Robert February 5, 2026 (8:54 am)

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That’s correct. I just looked up the Seattle Municipal Code 11.72.160 and the SPD CSI vehicle is illegally parked.
- Hudge February 5, 2026 (11:21 am)
  
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  To be fair, I watched them park the van, and the 4 -5 other police cars (most unmarked), and that was the closest and only spot near the entrance they needed access to.
  - Robert February 5, 2026 (12:49 pm)
    
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    For emergencies, police can park in front of fire hydrants according to the municipal code. They would need to justify the emergency though in court.
Seriously? February 5, 2026 (10:17 am)

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Seriously?? can’t believe you would even say that. Fire department can easily access around vehicles.. CSI has equipment and needs close access. Grumpy you. Geezzz
- ddd February 5, 2026 (10:59 am)
  
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  Good grief… The FD cannot access the hydrant around vehicles. Look at the picture: The main hose connection is right next to the CSI vehicle. When the main hose is filled with water, it is under so much pressure that it cannot make tight bends and must go essentially straight out from the hydrant.
  
  Ever see the movie “Backdraft”? There’s a scene in there where the fire fighters break out the windows of a car that’s blocking the hydrant to run the hose through the car. That’s not unrealistic; here’s a story about a FD doing exactly that: https://www.firerescue1.com/water-supply/articles/fire-department-warns-drivers-of-parking-in-front-of-hydrant-A6XtwWj27WesixpM/
  
  The CSI team is not responding to a crime in progress. Parking 15′ away from the hydrant is not going to impede their work.
Odd son February 5, 2026 (1:33 pm)

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Unfortunately it’s a problem on every block with every type of vehicle. PEOs know about it but coverage is and has been too thin so people take advantage.
Bill February 6, 2026 (9:30 am)

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You’d think…

Tracy February 5, 2026 (7:41 am)

With regard to the missing and returned mail – my townhome group (south Delridge) had a weird thing 2 nights ago. I check my mailbox every day and there was no issue (and mail) around 3pm. That night, the boxes (there are 9 units) were open with leftover mail strewn about on the ground. It was not forced open and there were packages and letters that looked like checks thrown around but still onsite. Our postal carrier is rumored to be “erratic” and had maybe left it open? Anyway, I put in a “complaint” through the USPS website, whatever that means.

Christopher B. February 5, 2026 (8:04 am)

DDD: I’m with you. That’s the only hydrant on the entire block. Too often it has become the default parking space for everyone, including USPS vans that block it every day.

Keenan February 5, 2026 (9:19 am)

I posted about my townhome complex mailbox (16 units) getting broken into a couple weeks ago. These boxes all have the same master key and someone has a stolen copy.

I went to the local post office and asked them to start the process of getting approval to change the master locks. I encourage EVERYONE who had this happen to them, to make a similar request at their post office. The post office manager said it would take months for my request to wind its way through the postal bureaucracy, so the more folks who request their master locks get changed, the more likely it will be to happen.

Nw mama February 6, 2026 (11:56 am)

Hoping for an update on the CSI presence. These units are right across from a major park, middle and high school.

WSB February 6, 2026 (12:15 pm)

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I’m continuing to renew my inquiry with SPD. Otherwise, I’ve exhausted the possibilities, have checked for recent calls at the complex, etc. Since it’s an apartment building, there’s no way to cross-reference a specific resident’s name (unlike for example if this had been at a house or even a townhouse) – TR
- WSB February 6, 2026 (2:40 pm)
  
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  … still no comment today re: 3220 California.
  - Resident February 6, 2026 (5:50 pm)
    
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    Thank you for continuing to check. Management has abandoned the office since that day (seems like they are trying to avoid questions in person and only answering emails remotely). Otherwise everyone is left in the dark. And there are a lot of kids that live in this complex so we are grateful for any info that can be provided.
  - Admiral February 11, 2026 (7:31 pm)
    
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    Any way to check on this, or is it forever just a creepy mystery?
    - WSB February 11, 2026 (8:30 pm)
      
      I have already asked twice this week alone. Same ‘can’t comment’ reply. Dead end on other ways of researching, so far.

Karie Schneider February 15, 2026 (1:40 am)

I live in the Springline Building and I was petsitting on the second floor in Building C, right above the fire hydrant. The CSI van was parked near the hydrant for only a short time, then it was moved to an empty space on the street, south of the fire hydrant. The van was in a few places. And it’s not like the Fire and Police can’t communicate.