West Seattle Crime Watch: Break-in followed by kindness; theft updates; more

The most recent West Seattle Crime Watch reports that community members wanted to get the word out about:

CAR BREAK-IN: Another car prowl at Lincoln Park – but it was followed by a gesture of kindness. From Rebecca:

I know that this is pretty routine, but I had my blue Nissan Versa broken into (Friday) morning between 10:30 and 11:30 in the south parking lot of Lincoln Park. My front passenger-side window was smashed and my purse was stolen. I had shoved my purse under the passenger seat but they must have spotted it. It is a light tan and black Nine West “mom” purse, if anyone spots it on the street.

My four-year-old son and I live in West Seattle but my mom is visiting from NY. I was trying to show her how beautiful Lincoln Park is. She was able to see how kind and sweet my neighbors are when strangers stopped and offered condolences. One little girl even urged her mom to give us ten dollars. My son is going to use it to buy a toy.

(Thanks also to Kurt for a tip on this, just before we received Rebecca’s note.)

Four more reports ahead and a nearby FYI:

THIEVES HIT STUDENT ATHLETES: A text alerted us to this – the Chief Sealth International High School tennis team reported that some of their gear was stolen while they were at the Southwest Athletic Complex tennis courts (west of Southwest Pool; map) on Friday afternoon. We don’t have descriptions but the thieves were described as two men between 20 and 30 who grabbed gear bags left by the courts and stuffed them into a van driven by an older woman.

STOLEN VAN FOUND: Speaking of vans, Danielle reports the van stolen from outside her Highland Park home last weekend has been found – no other details yet.

STOLEN KAYAKS: Update from Diane, who reported two yellow kayaks were stolen from the 9200 block of Fauntleroy Way earlier this week. In addition to that, she says two white kayaks were stolen from the 9300 block of Fauntleroy (map) – one was recovered at the south end of Lincoln Park thanks to a tip in comments. Here’s a photo:

Diane says the one that’s missing looks a lot like that one, so if you see it or one/both of the yellow ones, please call police.

BREAK-IN: Johnny reported a Wednesday night apartment burglary in the 4000 block of Admiral Way (map):

This apartment complex is a secure building and our front door was locked. However, our back door leads to a small patio and it is accessible to our other third-floor neighbors. This door’s lock is broken. I wanted to let you know just in case anyone else had reported this and maybe there is some information to be gotten.

And although this isn’t in West Seattle, it’s close enough we wanted to mention it here too:

SOUTH PARK LURING INCIDENTS: From our partner site The South Park News, a report of luring attempts, with a picture of the suspect’s vehicle – again, just mentioning it here as a heads-up; no reports beyond SP, so far.

P.S. The next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is only a week and a half away – Tuesday, April 15th, 7 pm, at the Southwest Precinct (map). In addition to a crime-trends update, guests are planned from the SPD Crisis Intervention Team.

37 Replies to "West Seattle Crime Watch: Break-in followed by kindness; theft updates; more"

  • sc April 5, 2014 (8:18 pm)

    Again why not a sting operation to catch these thieves?

  • Rick April 5, 2014 (8:19 pm)

    Thieves are stealing vehicle registration and insurance cards from vehicles in the area for ID theft. Be aware.

  • KT April 5, 2014 (8:31 pm)

    And EXACTLY what is SPD doing? This is kind of a daily occurrence now. Maybe once we go to a District Council election the WS councilor can convince someone to care! It seems to me that by placing such a low emphasis on property related crime, the city may actually be encouraging it.

  • JanS April 5, 2014 (9:02 pm)

    @Johnny…time for management to fix that broken lock. I live near your building, so I am familiar with how the patio is configured. Neighbor? Neighbor’s friend? That would definitely be concerning to me :( Sorry it happened.

  • Marc M April 6, 2014 (9:26 am)

    How hard can it be to catch at least *one* of these Lincoln Park thieves? It’s not like these parking lots are massive? One police is all it would take.

  • annaeileen April 6, 2014 (9:28 am)

    Until we stop leaving valuables in cars thieves won’t stop breaking in our cars. We can only blame ourselves.

  • JRR April 6, 2014 (9:54 am)

    Let’s all remember that people hang out in park parking lots and watch what you’re putting in the trunk/under the seat. It’s sick and wrong, but it’s a fact. Police presence would eliminate it, but we can’t have a patrol car sitting in every park in the city. We need to just assume some jerk is watching.

  • Merrilie April 6, 2014 (10:22 am)

    It’s shocking that break ins are happening with such frequency at Lincoln Park. I know it’s been suggested but why can’t the SPD patrol the park or do a sting operation? Everyone hates the idea of surveillance but maybe it could be beneficial in the parking lot. If the thieves know there is surveillance of them parking their car and spending the day loitering around they might not be that eager to be caught on camera?
    We have mounted police in the city, why not patrolling Lincoln Park for thieves and off leash dogs? The people doing the breaks ins aren’t causing alarm or for our spidery senses to turn on, so that makes me think maybe it could be that cute family with the stroller or a little old lady, it’s someone who blends right in to the fabric of Lincoln Park. I guess what it comes down to is its our responsibility to be vigelent over our own property, carry your purse and stop leaving valuables in the car. Me too I’ll be more observant.

  • Rick April 6, 2014 (10:25 am)

    Love my shotgun. Especially with my failing eyesight.

  • Marcus M April 6, 2014 (10:42 am)

    If the police are going to write Lincoln Park off, then vigilantes are going to have to take their place

    • WSB April 6, 2014 (10:52 am)

      Police have not written Lincoln Park off. We’ve heard stakeouts on the scanner. But if you still believe they have, then come to one of the myriad community meetings we mention here day in and day out at which precinct leadership – including the new commander – come to listen to community concerns, and ask your question (or any other crime/police question) in person. At EVERY meeting, there is much more time for Q/A than there are people to take advantage of it. Few neighborhoods have the opportunity. Next one: April 15th, 7 pm, SW Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster), as mentioned above. You’d be surprised to see what can happen. – TR

  • Cody April 6, 2014 (10:51 am)

    Way to be a troll 2nd amendment man. Take your crazy somewhere else.

  • unknown April 6, 2014 (11:00 am)

    WHY use tax payers money to set up a sting at Lincoln Park (SPD wages) when all you have to do is not leave ANY valuables in your car, you know you’re going there just bring what you can carry on yourself (ID…) and the most that can happen is your car window smashed they get nothing and that is why you have insurance.

  • Ray April 6, 2014 (11:09 am)

    Because these are not robberies of convenience. It is most likely the same person/group of people doing this.

    If there was more police presence in the park, they would likely move elsewhere and steal there.

    A sting would catch these people and remove them at least for a little while.

  • Rick April 6, 2014 (11:30 am)

    Best solution – don’t use the park, stay at home.

  • WS4Life April 6, 2014 (11:55 am)

    “come to listen to community concerns, and ask your question” BS! Less talk and more action is what is needed. Not more community meetings, Talk is for reporters. There has been enough talking about the crime problems in WS i.e. break-ins, Auto theft, robbery. Brave citizens need to set up stings of their own. Or with the help of local media, film crews, off duty officers PI’s etc..

    • WSB April 6, 2014 (1:42 pm)

      WS4Life, why is it BS? How many times have YOU personally come and talked to police leadership? Talk is not “for reporters.” Talk is for human beings to let other human beings know what they need. Community meetings are no good if the community doesn’t bother to come ask questions and get answers – yes, and action – ask the people near the 34th/Morgan nuisance house, ask the people who were having problems with Ryan Cox, just to name two in which action DID result from coming to the WSCPC and looking police leadership in the eye and saying, what’s being done, what’s not being done. We’re a visual society, as it’s noted, and even if you show up and DON’T say anything, butts in the seats look a lot more impressive than pixels on a page. The Q/A part is usually within the first half-hour, 45 minutes. Can you spare that much time? Do you care enough? Does anyone? – TR

  • Seattlite April 6, 2014 (12:04 pm)

    unknown — I agree with you. Thieves and thugs are everywhere in WS. Never leave your purse or other valuables in your car because criminals are watching and waiting for the chance to steal your valuables.
    Cameras should be setup in Lincoln Park’s parking areas as a deterrent.
    SPD is doing a good job.

  • westcoastdeb April 6, 2014 (1:28 pm)

    Unknown – because theft has more consequences than just what is lost. Maybe someone steals your insurance card (thats required to be in your car) and now they know your name and address, making you feel less safe at home. Could be that the insurance deductable ($100 or whatever) is the money that was put aside to spend on birthday presents for kids. Could be any number of reasons other than (what I interpreted as) ‘Don’t be an idiot’. Taking away a person’s sense of security sucks. Plus these people are breaking the law, why NOT have them caught?

  • Alkiwendy April 6, 2014 (1:52 pm)

    WS4Life – I, along with 2 others attended 2 Crime Prevention Council Meetings. The purpose was to discuss Ryan Cox. The police listened, and acted. He is currently in jail. The April 15th meeting is to review current crime trends, and to address neighborhood concerns. It is held at the Southwest Police Precinct, 2300 SW Webster, and it starts at 7:00pm. If you are not willing to do something about the problem, don’t complain.

  • JackieW April 6, 2014 (3:50 pm)

    I too repeat COME TO THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS ! You can make a difference !!!

  • Rick April 6, 2014 (4:08 pm)

    “Talk is cheap”.

  • geezlouise April 6, 2014 (4:17 pm)

    I know what we all can do….just stay home, close your blinds, lock and bar up all your doors and then no one can harm you, steal your identity and all will be good!

    OMG!!!

  • Shannon April 6, 2014 (4:28 pm)

    I second JRR – from some of the reports of Lincoln Park car break ins reported on this blog, it seems that criminals/thieves may actually be watching the parking lots and may see if you hide your purse somewhere (ie, people putting their laptop in the trunk and leaving nothing on the seats, but the car still gets broken into and the laptop stolen). If you are going to stash something valuable, do it before you leave, rather than when you get to where you are parking (if you have to keep it in your car at all). It sucks that we have to do these things, but yeah. I’ve learned the hard way myself that we do have to take extra precautions to keep ourselves and our belongings safe.

  • Eric April 6, 2014 (6:29 pm)

    I think criminals are watching people park and then making their move. I also wouldn’t be surprised if it were the same people committing these multiple car break ins.

    I always look around when parking st Lincoln Park and have no qualms if I see what I think to be suspicious people or car, to let them know I see them and am watching them. I also jot down a license plate, make/model of the car and description of the people driving it in my note section of my phone.

    Above all, I keep nothing of any real value in the car or move items from the car to the trunk area while in the parking lot. Fortunately I live real close to Lincoln Park so it is easy to drop things off at the house first

  • Brian April 7, 2014 (10:42 am)

    The West Seattle Blog should be renamed Fox News West Seattle.

    For all the unneeded fear mongering.

  • Eric April 7, 2014 (4:24 pm)

    Brian, trying to compare the WSB to Fox News fear mongering is ridiculous.

    Fox News uses tactics such as suppression of information that does not fit their agenda. A liberal dose of editorial commentary from the person presenting the information, often presented as facts. There is also the confirmation bias of presenting a panel of “experts” that happen to already agree with Fox’s POV and usually some “liberal” rummy that often times can’t even present their ideas in a coherent thoughtful way and/or gets their mic cut off for that “fair and balanced” idea.

    There is also the implication that there are vague “experts” out there with the often used statement, “Some people say” before presenting certain information. There is also the use of sounbites and/or catch phrases that are repeated over and over throughout the different programs on Fox to create the illusion of a cohesive consensus through actual contemplation, rather than group polarization through confirmation bias tactics. And of course there is using future speculation scenarios as a way to use fear mongering.

    The WSB is simply reporting what is happening in WS. The crime watch on the blog actually makes up a small percentage to the overall number of stories on the blog. You’re the one making it out to be something that it isn’t.

    The WSB is not writing in a lot of editorial of their own POV about the crime. They’re not reporting with speculations of the dystopia of WS or anything like that. They’re not using sounbites over and over to scare people. If this is happening in WS, then it should be reported so people are informed. Reality doesn’t work with the idea that if crime isn’t reported it isn’t happening.

    This isn’t about police porn as you call it. Information is not fear mongering. Sticking your head in the sand is not “progressive.” Maybe you should stop listening to those ultra liberal “Air America” type programs, because their propoganda is just as bad as Fox’s.

  • miws April 7, 2014 (4:29 pm)

    Brian, if reading WSB raises fears within you, perhaps you should find another News Source?

    .

    Mike

  • bolo April 7, 2014 (9:41 pm)

    @Eric,
    “Air America” has been off the air for over four years. If we wanted to listen to liberal “Air America” type programs, where could we hear them?

    .

    @Brian ,
    In general, but specifically to this article’s news of yet another Lincoln Park parking lot breakin/theft, most would see it as plain unbiased objective reporting, at most a heads-up to take precautions when parking there. Fear-mongering?

  • Eric April 8, 2014 (4:43 am)

    Yes, I realize that Bolo. That’s why I said Air America type programs. Where to gear them? The internet and XM radio.

  • VanillaGorilla April 8, 2014 (11:29 am)

    Perhaps we should call the undercover show that filmed at zippys and have them setup a sting operation??? we could catch some criminals…yum yum yum yum yum yum ;)

  • DH April 8, 2014 (12:54 pm)

    If not leaving anything in your car still results in the window being broken – then you haven’t solved the problem. I would like to see cameras in the parking lot – because they truly do deter crime.

    Regarding reading WSB – I’m very grateful for the detailed information WSB reporters provide. Thank you!

  • unknown April 8, 2014 (4:46 pm)

    Yes WSB is the greatest in the whole world…they are perfect in every way…do no wrong, say no wrong but heaven forbid you disagree with them because if so there click goes the delete button.

    • WSB April 8, 2014 (4:51 pm)

      No, we’re not perfect, and we frequently point that out. We don’t stand for inaccuracy, we don’t stand for insults between commenters or against us, and, among other things, we don’t stand for inaccurate accusations, such as yours, which I’m publishing so I can refute it. There is no “agreeing” or “disagreeing” with facts, which are what we report. Thanks! – Tracy

  • unknown April 9, 2014 (4:57 pm)

    OH OK…perfectionism is what you are.

  • pioneerofws April 9, 2014 (5:23 pm)

    I agree with unknown…all this blog is, is a gossip blog and when someone disagrees or states their opinion (freedom of speech) against what you WSB state you delete it or reply as you did above.

    • WSB April 9, 2014 (5:44 pm)

      And you and “unknown” have the same IP address. Sockpuppetry is against our rules. So that WILL be deleted, as a rulebreaking comment, shortly. Regarding freedom of speech – website owners with commenting rules are not violating it by exercising their rights to approve or not approve any particular comment. Text of the First Amendment:

      Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

      We’re not Congress. Thank you. – Tracy

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