West Seattle, Washington
16 Friday
(WSB photo, Wednesday night)
11:59 PM: As we reported last night, City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s community-safety meeting for three West Seattle neighborhoods ended with several frustrated attendees shouting that they hadn’t been allowed to speak.
Among them, Phil Brandt, the High Point resident whose car had been hit by gunfire in High Point last month – leaving his 3-year-old’s car seat with a bullet hole.
Today, he contacted WSB wanting to tell his side of the story, to offer context. “That wasn’t anger for the sake. of anger,” he said. “It’s important for the community to understand the three weeks that preceded last night.”
He laid out this timeline:
-April 17, in gunfire near Walt Hundley Playfield, two rounds hit his vehicle, one going through his son’s car seat. We received this photo from a reader that night:
Brandt said that was one of eight West Seattle gunfire incidents in 34 days. Two were in High Point, he said, one in an area with a longterm streetlight outage. He said he was out of town at the time and not aware of the bullet hole for a few days but once he was, he emailed a photo of the car seat to Councilmember Saka, and other emails to SPD and the councilmember’s staff. He said they got back to him and urged him to speak at the April 22 City Council meeting, which he did (with the car seat), expressing frustration there too (see it here, two minutes into the meeting).
After that meeting, he said, “multiple staffers from multiple councilmembers” asked what they could do. Talking to other High Point community members, he said, they had three demands, starting by asking that all 33 streetlight outages in High Point within a week. He said that led to staff for four councilmembers – Saka, Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Sara Nelson, Dan Strauss – contacting City Light, and fast repair action resulting.
Second, he said, was a High Point town hall with Saka and SPD, and third was a High Point neighborhood walkthrough with Saka, his staff, and local police. Saka’s staff started working on the town hall, Brandt said, and community members emphasized that they did NOT want a presentation. “They agreed to open Q&A,” he said. But, he said, he did not hear from Saka himself until a phone call on May 2. “I don’t know why it took 11 days to contact me directly.”
The meeting announcement sent to Saka’s newsletter email list said the meeting would be “about listening” among other things – here’s a screengrab:
But, Brandt told. us, “last night I had a feeling we weren’t going to get what we asked for. I’m happy that (many) city officials showed up, but it’s not what we asked for and agreed to. When I got there at 6 pm, it was the first time I had heard there would not be live questions.”
Overall, he said he found the hour-and-a-half meeting frustrating except for Police Chief Shon Barnes and Chief Public Safety Officer Natalie Walton-Anderson. Regarding the announcement promising “listening,” he said, “I don’t know where the ‘listening’ was.” Not with Saka, he alleged, “I lost track of how many times he (started sentences) with ‘I’… this was not a campaign stop, this was a community hurting.” Instead of guns, Saka focused on sidewalks, Brandt noted, saying that might have been relevant if there was data to show that a lack of sidewalks factored into crime.
Brandt has lived in High Point since last summer, after returning to Seattle from a few years away, noting that he has two sets of family members who also live in High Point. He says the organizations that manage the area have been “very helpful,” so his beef’s not with them.
He’s waiting to hear what Saka plans to do … but hadn’t heard from him or his staff by day’s end. (We’ll be asking them “what’s next?” tomorrow.)
ADDED 1:05 PM FRIDAY: We saw Councilmember Saka at an event on Alki with the mayor this morning (report to come). We asked him afterward what he had done about all this since the meeting. He told us to “stay tuned” for his next newsletter. It just arrived, including his explanation of the Wednesday meeting format.
(WSB photos by Jason Grotelueschen)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
More than 100 people crowded into the main room at High Point Neighborhood House for City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s community-safety forum, with overflow attendees nearby. In the main room, frustration erupted toward the end, as some yelled out that the crowd had been talked at rather than talked with or listened to, as the meeting was adjourned without an open-mic comment or Q&A period.
We recorded the entire meeting on video (update: here it is:)
(Seattle Channel recorded it as well.)
Opening the event, Saka’s chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko (below right) stressed that they would focused on these “three neighborhoods experiencing a lot of gun violence” – North Delridge, High Point, and Snake Hill. Ikoma Ko also commended the North Delridge neighbors who organized a community meeting last week (WSB coverage here).
Saka then followed with thanks for attendees and the city department heads – Police, City Light, Parks included – who were at the table with him, along with the mayor’s public-safety officer Natalie Walton-Anderson.
Saka explained what he’s accountable for and empowered to do – “I write laws and write checks” plus “advocacy. .. So why are we here? Because of a troubling rise in gun violence in three specific neighborhoods … To be honest, yes, there’s a notable increase in gun violence this year, but … we know those neighborhoods are experiencing (it) at a disproportionately high rate.” And, he noted, “shootings in these areas are not new, sadly.” He blamed gangs and “the surrounding neighborhood – greenbelt- lends itself to people taking potshots, shots of opportunity.” He mentioned the 130-gunshot incident near his house, and how it frightened his own children. At first he thought it had to be fireworks, and consoled his daughter, who went back to sleep; then later he learned via “reports online” that it was gunfire. He then checked on his other children to ensure they were safe, saying it was a fear that no one should ever have to experience.”
“As your councilmember I’ll tell you the honest truth” – he believes “underinvestment” in the neighborhood is to blame. Missing sidewalks. Dim, broken, or missing streetlights. Saka said he’s been “hard at work trying to right some of those historical wrongs” like getting funding for new sidewalks. “But when we have kids; car seats getting hit by gunfire, we’rehumbly reminded there’s more work to do.”
Three announcements/promises were offered:
#1 – Streetlight upgrades
#2 – Crime prevention experts will analyze all three neighborhoods to see ‘what more can we do?” via CPTED
#3 – Parks Department will advance a Summer Action Safety Plan for parks, details TBA, including Greg Davis and Cottage Grove Parks in North Delridge
The department heads who are here have $3.1 billion of decisionmaking authority, Saka declared. “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhoods and communities.”
He then handed the microphone to citywide Councilmember Sara Nelson, who serves as council president and who is up for re-election this year (Saka is midway through a four-year term). She says the current council is “super-majority pro-public safety.” She touted the end of the trend of “losing more officers than we can hire” each year, after six years. “Our efforts are bearing fruit but it only matters if you feel a difference in your daily lives.”
Public safety isn’t just about police, though, she said, mentioning the drug crisis and other challenges such as street racing and lighting. “Now is not the time to pat ourselves on the back – this is a moment for humility …” She also said this is the first time in a while that the council and mayor get along well. And she insisted “we are focused on public safety in EVERY form. … your voice gives our action legitimacy.”
Next, the mayor’s chief public-safety officer, Walton-Anderson, a 20-year West Seattle resident, spoke. “Safety in every neighborhood is important,” but this one is hers, she said. “This work is deeply personal … This is not easy work … but I’m happy to be here.” She insisted that public safety is Mayor Harrell’s top priority. “There are short-term and long-term actions we are, and can be, doing.” Public safety is a priority for every department, she added, saying all departments are working together. She went through the mayor’s public-safety priorities in the “One Seattle Restoration Framework,” starting with “reducing gun violence.”
She addressed the issue of people finding themselves having trouble getting through to 911. That service had a personnel shortage but is addressing it – they have a “new class” that’ll make progress toward that. But in the meantime, call or text 911, don’t be dissuaded by others’ stories. “We need that data.”
They’re working on the opioid crisis – which is far beyond a local problem, Walton-Anderson noted.
And she said SPD is on track to hire “more than we have budget for” but she said the mayor has assured them they’ll find the money. Regarding technology, they’re hiring to staff up the “real-time crime center.” Automated license plate readers have even helped lead to a homicide suspect’s arrest. Please keep reporting what happens, she implored. “We’re working tirelessly” to address problems.
Next, Police Chief Shon Barnes. “No one deserves to live in a community and feel unsafe or be unsafe. I got into policing because I truly believe that. The answer is simple – we have to work together in partnership. … We have to be committed to working together to solve our problems.” A major problem: “Young people with guns indiscriminately firing guns” is a problem here and nationwide. So what action are they taking? “Increased patrols .. we call them directed patrols … 20 minutes of every hour in the areas we talked about … we’re trying to measure the effects of that.” He promised they will deploy officers proactively.
#2, they authorized some overtime so officers can join supervisor in Gun Violence Reduction Units – it’s voluntary, he said, and they haven’t had as much response yet as they would like.
#3, they’re now having two gun violence meetings a week, Thursdays to look ahead, Mondays to talk about what happened over the weekend. They’re analyzing shell casings.
The real-time crime center’s official grand opening will be on the 20th and they’ll have a program where you can register your home camera with SPD in case investigators need video. They’re also looking at software that might analyze noise levels to see if violence could break out. Also, they’re implementing what he calls Seattle-Centric Policing – “looking at how crime behaves in each precinct, identifying things that are specific to areas – daily crime analysis of what’s been happening “to see if we’re seeing a pattern … we have to get better at understanding how crime operates in each of our precincts.”
What can you do? “Be our eyes and our ears, call 911 first,” said the chief. Even if you have relationships with specific officers, report to 911. Last but not least, “weknow some of the people are young people” – “if you have an opportunity to embrace someone younger than you, give them a job, be a mentor, you could be changing someone’s life.”
He said the quote about “it takes a village t raise a child” has a flip side – if the child is not embraced by the village, he might burn it down.
Next, City Light CEO Dawn Lindell. Her agency has 90,000 streetlights and “thousands are out” at any given time. District 1 stats: Repaired since 1/24, 501, and 179 are out right now. High Point, Alki, North Admiral are the ones historically with the most out … North Delridge and Highland Park are the ones with the most out now. She said Councilmember Saka asked about brightening existing lights, and they’ll do that on SW Brandon between SW 26 and SW 30. 135 watt LEDs instead of the 52-watt LEDs in there now. THe work order will be issued y May 30, June 2-6 Brandon treetrimming, then by June 13 they’ll have extended bracket arms in so they can start installation. This all makes it possible to brighten things without raising the poles. They also want to protect the tree canopy, she said. “Awesome work, engineering!”
Almost one hour into the meeting, she was the first to addresss a presubmitted question. She clarified that City Light isn’t accountable for all outdoor lights in public areas. She also explained the prioritization of lights reported as broken. Theft of wire is their biggest issue, she said. They’ve worked with recycling owners to “say don’t take the wire, it’s like sending them to steal it.” Some are complying, some are not. Some areas will have to be rewired when repaired.
Parks Superintendent AP Diaz spoke next. He said people in Seattle love their parks – 500 of them, “a blessing and a challenge.” Some use parks as “their front yards and their back yards.” He acknowledged that while Parks acknowledges cheery milestones like “30 days until x o’clock sunsets,” for some residents, it might be “30 days until loud parties.” Overall, he said, it’s important that city leaders “make the simple choices to improve your quality of life.” He said that “in the spirit of common-sense approach,” they’re working on strategies including lighting/CPTED (and honoring the “broken window theory”). He said “law enforcement is not a bad word”though he was warned when he arrived that it was. They’re adjusting park hours (like Alki), as previously reported. “That’s informed by crime and calls for service.” THey know that “in West Seattle around the water.” He talked about chronic problems like people breaking their gates. “We’re coming up with new strategies” to deter that. They’re working with Chief Barnes on the best times for directed patrols. “We’re committed to making this better” – but they need residents to keep pressure on state lawmakers – it’s still not illegal to bring a gun into a community center, a teen life center, a Parks facility – every year it’s proposed, every year it’s pulled. Keep up the pressure, he urged.
The mic then went back to Saka. He acknowledged the struggle immigrants face, and recalled the first homicide victim of 2024, the deadly shooting of Mobarak Adam at Southwest Teen Life Center. “These are the issues that keep me up at night.”
Department of Neighborhoods director Jenifer Chao – noting she immigrated here from Thailand – was the next speaker. She answered a question: What’s being done to ensure a future for kids and youth? “We value relationships … we co-create with community” because those are the solutions she knows. Honest conversations are key to trust, she added. “The solution is right here in this room.” She listed some of the programs and agencies that the city has supported, with “community-led work that we have supported through grants.” DON has four community-engagement coordinators, citywide, Chao said, acknowledging “we need more.” She said her department “retains a presence in D-1” in many areas and matters. This area’s assigned community-engagement coordinator is Rosa Garcia.
A bit of time was saved for Q&A, starting at 7:50 pm, read from cards. How can the community best get involved? Call 911, said Chief Barnes. SW Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair also suggested contacting Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite. Regarding video, there’s a link that can be created for it to be uploaded.
Community-based public-safety initiatives? Chief Barnes said coming to meetings like this is good – you can also invite police to your neighborhood.
Walton-Anderson said neighborhood walks can be powerful and she’d be happy to join them. Walking as a group can be powerful, she said. “I’m going to commit right now to walking anywhere in the Southwest Precinct.”
Ikoma Ko brought up the frequent question about the non-emergency line not getting answered. Walton-Anderson said the same thing we’ve written many times: “Call 911.” It’s the same calltakers. They’ve been short-staffed but they’re staffing up so they can staff the non-emergency line better, but 911 is the priority.
One attendee said it doesn’t make sense then for them to post numbers that aren’t being answered. “It’s not that they’re not answering, they’re answering something else.” She also invited people to apply for the job.
Before one last question, Ikoma Ko promised again “This is not a one-off” and said there’s an online survey
Then someone yelled out, “If we have this meeting again, can we talk?” That drew applause from throughout the room. “Seems like politicking!” someone else shouted out.
Saka then took back the microphone and tried to retake control. He said he’d heard a desire for more action, frustration over gun violence, and frustration over streetlights. An attendee yelled out, “Who here is concerned about streetlights” and noted aloud that no hands were raised. Saka continued nonetheless. He said that hiring more 911 calltakers was important. He continued plowing through his closing statement, and said he’d also heard a city commitment to invest more in the neighborhoods, as a result of community advocacy.
That’s when more shouting erupted; the resident who had a bullet hole in a car seat came to the front of the room and shouted that the meeting wasn’t what they had asked for, a live forum to talk about the violent crime that had been going on. More shouting continued; Saka tried to counter the allegations, and someone said, “You’re still talking.” Someone else yelled, “You don’t care.” Another attendee said, “He does care. He’s here.”
That’s when the meeting broke up, with people staying in the room to talk – amongst themselves.
Saka stayed too, circulating among some attendees to talk one on one.
What’s next? We’ll be following up.
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Coast to coast, “resisters” opposed to recent federal actions and orders have gathered on streetcorners, among other places, in recent weeks.
For Highland Park resident and West Seattle artist Sheila Lengle, protest took a different form.
With the help of graphic artist Gretchen Flickinger and Christy Hosler, she decided to start the group Victory Gardeners HP. “I am past my limit of endurance about feeling angry, and powerless about what’s happening in this country,” Lengle said. “This is my own quiet way to resist.”
(Photo courtesy Sheila Lengle, shown holding Victory Gardeners HP flyer at recent event, with another volunteer)
“The HP stands for Highland Park,” she explained, with the intent that others could take the Victory Gardeners model and use it in their own neighborhoods, with a slight tweak to their title.
The name is taken from the the historical Victory Gardens, originally called “War Gardens” or “Liberty Gardens.” In World War I and II days, people were encouraged to grow their own food, as a way to alleviate pressure on the national food supply, boost morale, and support the community.
Lengle’s Victory Gardens seek to serve much the same purpose, especially with increasing concerns about food security amid tariffs and other economic concerns. Furthermore, Lengle says, any additional produce grown throughout the project will be donated to local food banks.
Beyond just addressing food concerns, gardens also serve as a way to connect the community. “The essence, other than providing the food, is that people meet each other,” Lengle said. “It’s about the spirit of sharing with the community, taking something as easy and common as gardening and finding a way to share it with your neighbors.”
(The Victory Gardeners HP Flyer, Designed by Sheila Lengle, Gretchen Flickinger and Christy Hosler)
The project has only just begun, but Lengle said she is excited to see it grow, after sharing it with the community at a recent event held by the Highland Park Improvement Club. She plans to focus her garden on carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic, but there are dozens of options to choose from. The important thing isn’t the quality or quantity, but the spirit of being involved, she said. “The bottom line is, I did something. Everybody can do one little something.”
If you have questions about Victory Gardens, or would like to reach out to Sheila, you can do so through the project’s email address, vgardenershp@gmail.com.
(Added: Reader photo)
8:10 PM: Police are now investigating a second case of gunfire, this time with evidence found in an alley in the 2900 block of SW Raymond, as well as damage to at least one vehicle. They’ve also detained a possible suspect after a brief foot pursuit. Updates to come.
8:13 PM: Police just told dispatch a witness has “positively identified” the person they detained as one of the multiple people believed to be involved in this gunfire incident. Officers are reporting “building damage” as well as vehicle damage in the block where they say it happened. (Added: An area resident sent these two photos:)
8:37 PM: Officers have told dispatch that a woman assisted in catching the suspect – grabbing them and holding onto them until police caught up.
8:51 PM: The suspect is believed to be a juvenile. Meantime, officers told dispatch they’ve found 20 casings so far.
10:08 PM: Officers also reported finding a gun.
TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE, ADDED 10:41 AM: Police confirm the suspect,15, was arrested and booked into the juvenile detention center. We’ve obtained the report narrative this morning – and also received more photos, from a resident whose home was pierced by bullets:
Basics from the narrative – first call was from someone who said they “saw 4 males shooting guns into the bushes.” The narrative confirms they found 20 casings but says they did NOT find the gun. The narrative says two rounds went into an “occupied residence” – likely the one from which we received photos – as well as an “unoccupied vehicle.” Also: “Witnesses described a black 4-door black sedan with heavily tinted windows, possibly a Prius, drive into the parking area and observed three individuals get out of the vehicle. Witnesses then heard gunshots and one witness saw the shooting and believed the suspects were shooting into the bushes down below to a retention pond. The witnesses then saw the suspects get into the sedan and drive away. Other witnesses in the townhomes observed other suspects down below near the retention pond running away during the shooting. The suspects from the vehicle were described as possibly juveniles wearing all black clothing with facemasks. Behind a garage near where the casings were located, a black backpack was located which contained a cellphone, white spray paint, and a black face mask. The backpack and its contents were logged into evidence.” No gun, though; the suspect subsequently arrested “stated he had wrapped the gun in a sweatshirt and dumped it behind a garbage can in an unknown alley. Officers conducted an extensive search for the firearm, including with a K9, but the firearm could not be located and it is unknown where XXXXXX had dumped the firearm.”
The narrative also says the suspect “is a convicted felon (Robbery 2nd degree).”
Juvenile cases usually move fast so we’ll be checking with prosecutors about what happens today in this one.
Police are investigating gunfire near Walt Hundley Playfield just before 10 pm. The reader photo is from the 31st/Myrtle vicinity; police arriving at the scene initially reported “several” casings, but the photo shows far more than “several.” The sender said it appeared to be a “gunfight with automatic weapons”; police were told two cars left the scene, but the only description they got in the early going was that one was a “dark sedan.” No victims were found at the scene, but a short time ago, a teenage boy with a gunshot wound showed up at Harborview Medical Center, and according to a radio exchange, police just learned his injury is apparently from this incident.
12:34 AM: Now it appears that the Harborview walk-in was linked to gunfire in another part of the city instead, according to this SPD Blotter post. Meantime, we’re hoping for more info on the High Point incident later this morning. The reader who provided the photo said they counted more than 60 cards. At one point in the archived audio, one officer said they were running out of the cards and needed someone to bring more.
Just after 1 am, 911 callers reported possible gunfire in the SW Raymond vicinity, on both sides of 35th SW. But when we inquired with SPD at mid-morning today, they told us officers hadn’t found any evidence (victim, property damage, shell casings), so it didn’t go into the files as confirmed gunfire. Then, hours later, that changed. A reader who works in the area and wants to be anonymous tells WSB that 15 shell casings were found later in the morning, outside High Point Library, near the King County Elections ballot box. The SPD case for the found casings is 25-59930.
(WSB photo, looking southwestward toward school and flagpole from 34th/Myrtle)
In our windstorm coverage last Tuesday, we mentioned that Our Lady of Guadalupe School had closed SW Myrtle between 34th and 35th – usually just a school-hours closure – because the stability of its flagpole was in question. The street has remained closed, and taped off, since then, while OLG determined whether the flagpole had to come down. Tonight, we checked back in, and the answer is “yes.” Dave from OLG tells WSB, “The pole needs to be taken down and we think that will occur on Thursday or Friday, and we will open the road at that point.” He says the flagpole eventually will be replaced.
(Added: Photo of fire’s aftermath)
A fire just before 5 am displaced six people from their home in a High Point duplex. SFD got the fire in the 6500 block of 30th SW [vicinity map] under control within a few minutes, and no one was hurt, but the Red Cross had to be called in to help the fire victims. No word yet how the top-floor fire started; SFD is keeping a crew there on “fire watch” for a while in case of flare-ups.
7:02 PM: Thanks for the tip about a water outage in High Point. The Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map confirms SPU is dealing with a water break at 34th/Raymond, affecting more than 30 customers; it was reported less than an hour ago. This comes as temperatures are expected to drop into the 20s tonight, so be extra-careful in that area in the morning!
9:04 PM: Fixed fast. We went through the area around 8:30 pm and the crew was already gone; the outage map says service was restored by 7:40.
ADDED: Brad Wong from SPU tells WSB, “It was an 8-inch distribution pipe. The cause is unknown.”
(WSB photo from 2024 Loop the ‘Lupe)
Even as another near-freezing night begins, and as the possibility of snow lurks in the forecast, we have reason to think summer: Registration is open for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe, with participation options including Seattle’s only 5K obstacle course! WSB has long been a community co-sponsor of Loop the ‘Lupe, and we’re sharing this announcement from organizers:
The early deadline for the BEST price on Loop the ‘Lupe, the only obstacle-course race in Seattle city limits, expires on Friday, January 31st! Register before midnight on January 31, use the coupon NEWYEAR5 at checkout, and save up to 40% off what you’d pay on race day. (Psst: Lock down even more discounts when you register 4+ people at a time!) Loop the ‘Lupe is Saturday, June 7, at Walt Hundley Playfield.
Sign up at loopthelupe.com.
7:08 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a sizable “scenes of violence” response to the Bridge Park complex in High Point (3200 block of SW Morgan), and police are headed there too. But so far this is NOT a crime situation – a person is reported to possibly have harmed herself with a knife.
7:11 PM: Police are reporting that the person “did not cut herself” so they’re dismissing the SFD response (which had staged a few blocks away), though an ambulance will be still called to take the person in for a mental-health evaluation.
If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, remember the 988 crisis hotline is available.
7:04 PM: For the second time today, police are investigating gunfire in West Seattle. This time it was in an alley near 31st SW and SW Graham [map]. Police have just told dispatch they’ve found “numerous shell casings” after multiple 911 callers reported hearing shots. No indication of injuries so far.
7:20 PM: Officers have told dispatch that a residence in the area has bullet damage to its garage.
7:27 PM: So far, officers just reported, they’ve found “36 9mm casings.”
8:11 PM: SPD has now caught up with what they’re describing as a “victim vehicle” that has multiple bullet holes.
ADDED SUNDAY: Police have released their summary, which includes:
At 1850 hours, officers responded to the 3000 block of SW Graham St to reports of shots fired. Officers arrived and located several shell casings and learned during their investigation an unknown group approached a parked occupied vehicle and shot in its direction. Several vehicles and homes were also struck by gunfire. The victim vehicle and owner fled initially but were contacted by officers and detectives later nearby. No suspects have been identified.
(WSB photos)
12:10 PM: A big morning at the West Seattle Food Bank‘s headquarters in High Point! Nucor Steel employees delivered the results of their annual WSFB donation drive – more than two tons of food, and $21,850 in cash, cards, and company match!
Monetary donations to the WS Food Bank go far (here’s how to do that), as they have extra bulk purchasing power, but all this food will also help fight hunger this winter – lots of protein, grains, soups, pasta, and more.
We asked the WSFB crew if there’s anything in particular at the top of their wish list for your donations as we get further into the holiday season. We’re told ingredients for holiday meals – “the fixin’s” – are especially welcome. And next Sunday (December 15), please bring new or gently used coats to the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market for the Hometown Holidays Cocoa and Coat Drive (you donate the coats, you get the cocoa), 10 am-1:30 pm, with the West Seattle Junction Association and Kiwanis Club of West Seattle.
1:25 PM: Full stats from Robbin Peterson at WSFB: “4,520 pounds of food donated – $4,864 in gifts from employees (cash, checks, and gift cards) – Nucor match: $16,986.”
Two days after 15-year-old Chief Sealth International High School student Sudaysi Ida was shot and killed in High Point, three updates:
INVESTIGATION: At last night’s Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting, precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair gave attendees a brief update on the case: “We don’t think it’s random,” adding that the “Homicide Unit has some good leads.” (We’ll publish a full report on the rest of the meeting later.)
FUNDRAISER: Several people have messaged to ask us to publish this link to a fundraiser for the victim’s family, set up by a teacher of the victim’s sibling:
The family is in urgent need of support to cover funeral expenses during this incredibly difficult time.
As teachers of the younger sibling, we have witnessed the strength and resilience of this family. Compelled to help during this unimaginable time, we are working with the community to raise funds for the family’s immediate needs.
Time is critical due to the family’s cultural and religious practices, and we are coming together to provide support as quickly as possible. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ease the financial burden and allow the family to focus on healing. All funds raised will go directly toward funeral costs, with any additional support assisting the family as they navigate this tragedy.
HIGH POINT MANAGEMENT LETTER: This has raised questions and concerns about neighborhood safety, so the High Point Open Space Association Board also wanted to share this open letter with the wider West Seattle community:
Dear High Point Community Members,
It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the tragic loss of a young life in our community this week. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. We also extend our sympathy to all our neighbors who are affected by this loss.
In light of this event, we want to reassure you that we are committed to the safety and well-being of our community. We are actively working alongside the Seattle Housing Authority, Neighborhood House, and other partners to enhance community safety through various events and activities. These efforts are aimed at fostering a supportive and safe environment for everyone.
We maintain regular communication with the police to ensure a proactive approach to community safety. We encourage you to participate in the Seattle Police Department’s quarterly Crime Prevention Council meetings, as these are valuable opportunities for you to stay informed and involved, as well as ensuring SPD knows what is happening in High Point. Furthermore, we invite you to attend the regularly scheduled safety meetings led by SHA’s Community Builder. These meetings are a platform for you to share your concerns, ideas, and suggestions on how we can collectively enhance our neighborhood’s safety. Look for more information regarding the time and place of these meetings in High Point’s weekly newsletter and on the High Point Network Facebook group.
We believe that open dialogue and community involvement are key to creating a safe and thriving environment. Your voice matters, and we welcome any ideas or comments you might have. Together, we can work towards a safer and more connected community for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment.
10:38 PM: SPD and SFD are in the 6400 block of 30th SW in High Point with a person who is reported to have a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
10:44 PM: The victim is being taken to the hospital. We haven’t heard a suspect description yet; dispatch told police one person had called in to report they’d heard gunshots, possibly from the “sidewalk or street.”
12:20 AM: We’re still waiting to hear back from SFD on the victim’s condition when transported. Dispatch audio from early in the incident describes him as a “juvenile male.”
1:30 AM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB the shooting victim is 15 years old and was assessed in critical condition when being transported to the hospital.
(SPD photo)
7:20 AM: SPD says the teen died at the hospital. No arrest so far.
Thanks to Cindi Barker for the photo. She shares a vignette from the ballot dropbox at High Point Library:
I stopped by the High Point box to see if there was any action. Here’s a picture of Jenny Hammer and her dog Kiba. She asked the voter attendant to take a picture of her as she cast her ballot, to get a selfie of the moment, as she put it. Taken about 12:15 today.
Voter attendant said that it was starting to pick up and wanted to make sure people knew to get to the box early. If someone arrives and gets in the car line, they have to be in line at 8:00 sharp, as they will have attendants with flashlights closing off the line at that point.
A lot of people, of course, have already voted – as of a short time ago, 65 percent of Seattle voters’ ballots are in.
P.S. We welcome other Election Day/Night photos – what are YOU seeing? westseattleblog@gmail.com
Think global, act local. You’ve probably heard that many times. It especially rings true for things you can do to help the environment – for example, catching rainwater with a cistern, like the one above that we saw last night outside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. It was installed via RainWise, one of the programs and organizations you can learn about at this year’s West Seattle Eco-Fair, set for 10 am-2 pm Saturday (September 28) at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (35th/Myrtle). The fair also will feature a talk at noon by retired KING 5 TV meteorologist Jeff Renner; organizers say he’ll discuss “the impact that climate change and other environmental issues are likely to have globally and in the Pacific Northwest, and what he believes we are called to do in response.” The Eco-Fair is presented by the Care for Creation Ministry of Holy Rosary and OLG Catholic parishes, with assistance from Peace Lutheran Church and other congregations. Here’s the list of exhibitors – which might be even longer by Saturday, we’re told:
A Cleaner Alki
Climate Reality Project — King County
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition
Earth Ministry
Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE
Plant Amnesty
RainWise
Ridge to River Project
West Seattle Bike Connections
West Seattle Food Bank
Wolf Haven International
Admission is free and everyone’s welcome. One of the organizers, Vince Stricherz, adds, “Our hope is to make this an ongoing event with an organizational base that grows well beyond our two Catholic parishes to involve other churches and possibly even civic groups. The environmental issues we see today aren’t going away any time soon, so we hope to keep everyone in West Seattle connected with good information and ideas of how they can make a difference.”
The first day of school began with a joyful tradition at West Seattle Elementary – the annual “Be There Rally,” with staff – that’s Akim Finch, above, who also DJ’d – and community members lining a red carpet to greet the students with high-fives, cheers, and applause.
Among the greeters was principal Pam McCowan-Conyers, for whom this “Be There” was bittersweet, as the hug from assistant principal Richie Garcia acknowledged:
She’s retiring after this year, so this was her final “Be There” – she spoke briefly, recalling what she has learned in 15 years at WSES, as well as sharing expectations and plans for the year ahead:
But meantime, there were many high-fives to be given – among those joining the principal and her staff this morning were West Seattle’s School Board Director Gina Topp (as mentioned in McCowan-Conyers’ remarks):
According to district documents, West Seattle Elementary had an enrollment of about 350 students last year and was forecast for about the same this year.
The addition/renovations completed last year gave it a capacity of 500, which will doubtlessly be a consideration when Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones announces his consolidation proposals next month.
One of West Seattle’s newest murals is adorning the restroom building at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), installed earlier this summer. We hadn’t heard about it until a brief Seattle Parks online mention this week; we went over for a closer look, and also contacted artist Juliana Kang Robinson to find out more.
She tells us the installation, commissioned by the city, is called “Pojagi Mounds.”
Pojagi Mounds is a landscape of belonging and togetherness. The design is inspired by pojagi, the historic Korean patchwork artform using scrap fabric to create cloths that were integral to a person’s daily life. They were used as tablecloths, to deliver gifts, to carry possessions on a journey, and protect valuables. Wrapping a gift in a pojagi communicated respect for the object and good will toward the recipient. Each patch added by the maker was like a prayer of good will that would enfold and carry the gift. For me pojagi represents how diverse members of a community can come together to enfold and carry one another. Pojagi Mounds underscores how the whole is more than the sum of its parts. A mountain is more than simply soil, plants and rocks just as we people in a society are greater when unified. My goal for this public artwork is to create a visual representation of this concept that spur viewers to ponder the beautiful and complex way that different parts can come together to unify and elevate us beyond the self.
She continues:
I used a traditional Korean color scheme called Obangsaek. Obangsaek means “Five Orientations” in balance with the universe – East (blue), West (white), South (red), North (black) and Center (yellow) to promote harmony while warding off evil spirits. In my work I like to incorporate animals with strong family bonds both in reference to the various creation myths and for the conjuring of strength, courage and belonging. In this mural I also wanted to honor our local “ecosystem engineers,” the beavers known for changing and maintaining ecosystems which significantly boost local biodiversity. I also love both creatures as a symbols for familial strength and working hard for one’s family and community.
You can see more of her work on her website.
(WSB photos)
As noted in today’s highlight list, the High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library is having a party right now! This summer marks the 20th anniversary of the branch, which opened in June 2004, funded by the “Libraries for All” bond measure that built or remodeled more than two dozen branches citywide. Treats and book raffles are part of it:
Voters passed “Libraries for All” in 1998, and as explained in this HistoryLink.org essay, it was supplemented by other funding, from donors including the Seattle Public Library Foundation. That’s who’s sponsoring today’s party, which features other partners including DNDA (screening tote bags, below) and the West Seattle Food Bank.
Visit the branch before 7:30 pm tonight to join the celebration – also a good time to get reacquainted with the library, now that SPL’s recovery is almost complete from the tech attack that hit just before Memorial Day.
The branch is on the southeast corner of 35th/Raymond.
For 30 years, the Seattle Public Library has welcomed volunteers to help local students with their homework during drop-in after-school hours. This year, they’re recruiting volunteers for free Homework Help tutoring at the High Point and South Park branches. Citywide, last school year, SPL says 1,100 students used Homework Help more than 4,400 times, aided by more than 180 volunteers. SPL says 60 percent of the students reported better grades as a result of the help they received. You can be part of kids’ success this year! Here’s what SPL wants prospective volunteers to know:
The Library requests a volunteer commitment for the school year, specifically from Sept. 16, 2024 through June 12, 2025. Volunteer shifts are available Monday through Thursday between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and each shift is approximately two hours.
Volunteers must be 18 or older. Having competence in another language, especially Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali, Oromo and Spanish, is also helpful. The majority of students served by the program are youth of color, with 90% of students reporting their parents speaking a language other than English at home.
Volunteer tutors receive an orientation and additional materials about working with youth and concepts such as social-emotional learning and growth mindset.
During Homework Help sessions, volunteers help students with homework, play learning games, read to students, or work with them on academic worksheets. Volunteers work with students individually and in small groups. High-school students can get help with not just academic subjects but with other priorities such as college essays.
Because Homework Help is a drop-in program, students can show up any day to receive help, and they do not need to have a Library card to attend. Snacks are provided at every Homework Help session, courtesy of The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Hunger Intervention Program.
Can you help? Or, have a question? You can email SPL’s Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@spl.org (and find more info here). They’re hoping to hear from new volunteers ASAP as the new school year approaches, but they do also accept volunteer applications throughout the year.
It’s a 27-year tradition for the West Seattle Big Band – the midsummer Concert in the Park. Here are some of the people who showed up tonight to enjoy the free concert at High Point Commons Park:
They were treated to more than an hour and a half of music from the WSBB, directed by Jim Edwards, with vocalists tonight including the band’s newest singer, Sam Henry:
Longtime vocalist Jenaige Lane, too:
And a guest return appearance by former vocalist Jeff Carter:
The concert was sponsored by the West Seattle Grand Parade (this Saturday!). During the school year, you can catch the WSBB performing at fundraisers for student musicians; you’ll often see them at other big West Seattle events too, like the Fauntleroy Fall Festival in October.
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