West Seattle, Washington
07 Friday
We were up at dawn covering a story for White Center Now when we saw Vashon early riser @sudsymaggie tweet that beautiful photo looking toward the sunrise “behind” West Seattle, from the north Vashon ferry dock. She kindly agreed to share it (thank you!). Now that another sunny day is under way, here’s what’s ahead:
ROAD WORK, BRIDGE CLOSURE: Three things to note today:
–Till 9 am, SDOT is scheduled to have the Admiral Way offramp from the westbound high-rise bridge CLOSED for installation of a temperature sensor (as we first reported here).
–The California/Fauntleroy work we mentioned yesterday – bollixing up the busy intersection at the heart of Morgan Junction – is expected to continue today, so detouring might be wise.
–TONIGHT AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed — from 10 pm tonight to 5 am Monday. It’s one of several notable Seattle road closures this weekend, as SDOT explains here.
‘CATCH THE BUG FOR NATURE’: Nature walk at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) – meet at the lodge -10 am, with West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler. Full details here.
KIDS’ GARDEN: Free – bring your kid/s to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) to learn and have fun, 2-4 pm, 10223 26th SW (more info on this Facebook event page).
COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Because of a swim meet, the schedule is different again today; the pool won’t open to the public till 3 pm. Changes detailed here.
DROP-IN TAI CHI AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 4:30 pm – details here. North end of South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW).
ROLLER SKATING AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: 6:45-8:45 pm – the Friday night tradition! More info here.
LIVE MUSIC: Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm … Barbie Anaka at Salty’s (1936 Harbor SW), 7-10 pm … Trip Like Animals & Dead Man at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm … Not From Brooklyn and I Will Keep Your Ghost, 9-11 pm at the Heartland Café’s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way)
POGGIE TAVERN BENEFIT DANCE CONTEST: 9-11 pm, to raise some $ to help the Poggie as it continues recovering from the fire that shut it down for almost a month this spring. Full details in our Thursday preview.
P.S. – EXACTLY ONE WEEK TILL WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST! The huge three-day outdoor party in The Junction starts a week from today. If you haven’t started planning your schedule – which bands to see, where to go when – ALL the info you need is on the official website.
Two notes tonight: First, in case you were among those who noticed a big police response heading south to Highland Park just after 5 pm (thanks to everyone who texted, called, and e-mailed!) – police at the scene told us it was reported as a possible holdup, but turned out to be a false alarm.
Second, from a local resident who wants to be anonymous:
Just wanted to pass along an incident that took place this morning shortly after 9am in the 6700 block of Beach Drive. I noticed a black car pull up to a bank of locked mail boxes. A male got out while a female passenger waited inside the car and the man walked to the boxes and looked as though he was trying to aggressively open one of the boxes. I had never seen this man in the neighborhood before so I continued to watch, a bit more closely and then I saw him use some sort of tool to try and open the box. I immediately called 911 and described the man, and what was going on and was able to provide the license plate of the vehicle. Other joggers/walkers had passed and he stopped what he was doing for a moment and then returned to the box, this time with more force.
He grabbed what he could and then crossed the street to another mailbox, which was not locked, and then headed back to his car. He drove a few houses down, parked behind a vehicle and then got into that vehicle’s trunk (not sure if it was by force or if it was unlocked) and appeared to be carrying items from that vehicle, back to his car when the first police car arrived, and then moments later, 2 more police cars surrounded the scene. All of this took place within a few minutes time and the thief and his female passenger were taken away. It turns out the car he was driving was stolen as well. Neighbors got their mail back and hopefully the car owner and anyone else who might have stolen goods will also get them returned. Thank you to the 911 dispatcher and the officers who immediately responded to the scene as it was unfolding. It feels great to be part of a community that cares!
We tried to get more details from SPD; no response yet, but didn’t want to wait any longer to share this reader report. If we are able to get any more info tomorrow, we’ll add it.
ADDED 2:08 PM FRIDAY: Southwest Precinct operations Lt. Pierre Davis says, “This was an excellent pinch by one of our 1st watch officers, based on an alert citizen’s 911 call of suspicious activity (possible mail theft). Block watch at its finest yet again puts bad guys in jail. Bad guys were caught with a large quantity of property, including a stolen vehicle.”
(UPDATE: Since we published this at 4:25 pm, we have learned Parks will have reps at next Tuesday’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting – info before story’s end)
(From Go Ape PowerPoint of Lincoln Park proposal, described as 1 acre ground/6-9 acres trees)
One week after first word of a proposed commercial zipline/rope swing “treetop adventure” attraction at West Seattle’s Lincoln Park – a proposal that Seattle Parks has been considering for almost a year without public mention of it – emerged in this WSB story, the man in charge of Seattle Parks is sending a statement to those who have contacted the department. Thanks to the WSB’er who received the e-mail from acting Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams less than an hour ago and shared it. The to/cc lines included other Parks officials as well as the mayor and City Council members:
From: Williams, Christopher
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2012 3:39 PM
To: Salinas, Rebecca
Cc: Williams, Christopher; Friedli, Eric; Ng, Charles; Brooks, Sandy; McGinn, Mike; Merrill, Nathaniel; Conlin, Richard; Licata, Nick; Bagshaw, Sally; Clark, Sally; Godden, Jean; Harrell, Bruce; Rasmussen, Tom; Burgess, Tim; O’Brien, Mike; Potter, Dewey; O’Connor, KarenSubject: Ropes course/zip line at Lincoln Park
July 5, 2012
Dear community members:
We have received many messages expressing strong concerns about a ropes course that would include a zip line at Lincoln Park.
Please be assured that Seattle Parks and Recreation is conducting an internal due-diligence process and will conduct a full public process before any final decisions are made.
Seattle Parks and Recreation has begun to consider the possibility of a ropes course because we believe we must respond to emerging forms of recreation. As we saw with skateboard courses and synthetic turf, new forms of recreation bring unanswered questions.
The only way that Seattle Parks can provide a recreational opportunity like this is in conjunction with a partner organization, such as Go Ape, which would bring its extensive experience and expertise, as well as funding needed to create the course.
As part of Seattle Parks’ due diligence in considering a ropes course in Lincoln Park, we will carefully consider the impacts of this recreational opportunity on the environment and to the park’s other uses. The first determination we must make is what if any impacts there would be on the trees, habitat, and wildlife surrounding the course area. To do this, Seattle Parks will work with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other environmental experts. A public meeting will be scheduled in early to mid-August to inform interested residents of findings, answer questions, and address any concerns. We will be glad to meet with any interested community groups. To arrange for a meeting with your group, please contact Rebecca Salinas at rebecca.salinas@seattle.gov
The public process will include review by the Board of Park Commissioners and, if a contract is negotiated, would require approval by Seattle City Council (which must approve any contract lasting longer than one year).
If you have received this email directly, your name and contact information have been added to a mailing list of interested persons, and we will notify you as soon as the public meetings have been scheduled and for further developments.
In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about Go Ape, you can visit their website at www.goape.com
Sincerely,
Christopher Williams
Acting Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation
There’s nothing in that note that hasn’t been part of our previous two reports EXCEPT for what appears to be a commitment to an environmental study, which wasn’t a sure thing as of our report this past Tuesday. Go Ape is a private company founded and based in the UK, with 28 locations there; its US offices are in Maryland, which is the site of one of its three US locations (along with one in Virginia and one in Indiana). Its U.S. admission fees this year are $55 adults/$35 youth. Its websites indicate that its courses include ziplines, rope swings, balancing challenges, and ladders; some of its UK facilities also offer “forest Segway” expeditions.
Previous WSB coverage:
Treetop ziplining at Lincoln Park? City mulls commercial partnership (June 28)
Followup: Go Ape zipline/swing proposal for Lincoln Park – where it stands & more (July 3)
Seattle Times (WSB partner) coverage:
Lincoln Park neighbors riled up over proposed zip-line attraction (July 3)
5:35 PM UPDATE: Fauntleroy Community Association president Bruce Butterfield says Seattle Parks has agreed to send representatives to his group’s regular monthly meeting next Tuesday, July 10th, 7 pm, to talk about this. Location TBA – they usually meet in a conference room at The Hall at Fauntleroy but he is looking for a larger venue.
And another 4th of July story emerges … this one likely to make you smile. Another parade – one we didn’t hear about till The Kenney (WSB sponsor) sent photos today, along with this report:
We’re all a “Kid at Heart” on the Fourth of July!
The Kenney Retirement Home in West Seattle celebrates their very first “Fourth of July Parade”! Residents decorated their own “wheelchair floats” complete with balloons, streamers, stars, sparkle flags and fun flair – balloon fashioned hats, drums, and more. The Kenney residents received honks and waves from passing cars and local West Seattle residents as they made their way down Fauntleroy.
The festivities began with a flag ceremony from a local Boy Scout Troop, Pack 282, led by troop leader Eric Linxweiler, followed by a carnival celebration in our Community Rooms; which included fishing games, bean bag toss, horseshoes, and face painting. It was a great day to be had by all seniors living at The Kenney!
Amy Seebeck, Director of Activities, and all the Activities Staff
So with the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade (WSB coverage here) and the 32nd SW Bike Parade (noted here, thanks to info/photos from neighbors), that makes at least three parades yesterday – anybody else?
Two additions to the 4th of July aftermath:
That slide at Sanislo Elementary is cordoned off today, unusable by the kids who are attending day camp on the campus at 18th and Myrtle. It was seriously damaged overnight, apparently by fireworks (or something explosive/incendiary):
According to a day-camp staffer, the district was expected to come out and take a look.
Second, an incident we had asked Seattle Police about earlier is now on SPD Blotter. We’d also asked if there were any arrests on Alki last night. Both are addressed in this SPD report:
Two armed men were arrested in separate incidents during yesterday’s 4th of July festivities on Alki Beach.
Around 8pm, police received a flurry of phone calls about a man brandishing a handgun on an apartment balcony near 55th Avenue SW and Alki Avenue SW.
SWAT, patrol officers, and gang detectives arrived and talked to witnesses, who reported that a man had used a skateboard to smash the windows of an Oldsmobile Cutlass parked behind the building. After smashing the cars’ windows, the suspect ran up to his third floor apartment where he’d flashed a gun.
When owner of the Cutlass ran up to the suspect’s third floor apartment to confront him, the suspect pulled a gun on the man. The suspect then went back inside his apartment.Officers tried to call the suspect, but he refused to answer his phone. He eventually came out of his apartment and spoke with officers, who then took him into custody. Officers found a knife on the suspect and recovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun, pepper spray, and a skateboard from the suspect’s apartment.
The suspect, who was intoxicated, was apparently angry that the owner of the Cutlass had parked his car in the suspect’s parking space behind the apartment building. The owner of the Cutlass refused to give officers a statement about what had happened.
In another incident on Alki, gang detectives arrested a a 21-year-old felon near Alki Avenue SW and Beach Drive SW, after they received a tip that the man was carrying a gun.
Detectives contacted the man—who, as a convicted felon, is not allowed to have access to guns—and found a 9mm handgun on him. Detectives then booked the man into the King County Jail.
Reported by a resident southwest of The Junction, who also shared the photo:
We had a drunk driver wreak havoc on our street last night-on 49th between Alaska and Dawson at about 2 AM. The person hit 5 cars – our neighbor’s car got the worst of it but we lost a bumper and have some major scrapes and damage on the side of our car. The man was arrested. Thankfully only cars were damaged. … We had an officer stop and talk to us this morning, which was greatly appreciated.
SFD’s 911 log verifies a crash call in that area at 2:47 am. SPD had some computer trouble overnight so its call map isn’t caught up yet.
Thanks to Tim for the note – we noticed this a little while ago, too, and he suggested it was alert-worthy: California/Fauntleroy has been a work zone for a while, with lane restrictions many days, but it’s worse today because asphalt work is being done, so you may find it even slower going – if you have to pass through that area (especially between west and east) you might consider a detour. (Also regarding alerts – remember the Admiral Way bridge exit closure tomorrow, and the westbound Spokane St. Viaduct closure over the weekend.)
That’s not the official name for the night before West Seattle Summer Fest begins – in other words, next Thursday night, July 12th – but it might as well be. The streets will close in the festival zone (California SW between Oregon and Edmunds, plus half the block north of Oregon, and SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd) in early evening, and the fun starts shortly thereafter (along with the festival setup). Including:
(The band outside West 5 on ‘Summer Fest Eve’ in 2010 – there’s video in our story from that night)
*West 5 brings back the Yada Yada Blues Band, “live in the street,” right outside. West 5’s Dave Montoure says, “California Ave closes promptly at 6:00, we’ll have our outdoor cafe set up and operational as soon as humanly possible. Come see Milky, Steb, Don, John, and maybe a special guest or two. 8 pm.”
*The also-legendary Bubbleman, last seen BEFORE a downpour shortened last month’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, will be as bubbly as ever in the street outside Elliott Bay Brewing at 6 pm (per his own event calendar)
*It’s the July edition of the West Seattle Art Walk that night, 6-9 pm, and while WSAW is *not* a Junction-only event, you’ll find lots of participating venues there – watch wsartwalk.com for the map/list.
Summer Fest itself (co-sponsored by WSB) runs 10 am-8 pm on Friday 7/13, 10 am-8 pm Saturday 7/14, 11 am-5 pm Sunday 7/15 (with beer garden and live music continuing past the vendor-closure times Friday/Saturday). The music lineup is here, vendor lineup/map here – and remember that many of your year-round Junction merchants have sidewalk sales during Summer Fest, too, so stroll the sidewalks as well as the festival pathways.
(Sand pattern from Wednesday’s low tide, by “old desolate” via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Three this morning at local libraries – the systemwide events calendar lists them all.
ONE LAST LOW-LOW TIDE: Today’s low tide is -2.7 feet at 12:35 pm, still low enough that the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out too (11 am-2:30 pm, locations here).
COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Because of a swim meet, the schedule is different for the next three days; today, the pool won’t open to the public till 3 pm. Changes detailed here.
SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: It’s weekly all summer long, 6-9 pm. See the list of participating stores/restaurants by going here.
NEW DRUM CIRCLE: Should be a beautiful night for this – a Thursday night drum circle is forming at Alki, starting at 6:30 pm. Details are in the calendar listing.
NIGHTLIFE: Free poker and live music at The Bridge (4439 35th SW) starts at 6 pm … Jim Page plays C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm … At Skylark Café and Club, it’s In Cahoots and The Goddamn Devil, 8 pm …
(WSB photo from May 14)
Four weeks ago, Poggie Tavern in The Junction reopened after damage from a fire in May kept it closed almost a month. A local band sends word of this benefit tomorrow (Friday) night:
The Poggie Tavern caught fire and had to close for a while. My band VikingRaider.com is hosting a Dance Contest there July 6th to help get them going again. It’s from 9 pm to 11 pm. Music goes till 1 am.
We are giving away prizes from the local West Seattle merchants, many have been donated. Zamboanga, Twilight Artist Collective, Husky Deli, and C&P Coffee are among the merchants participating. We got some rocking rhythm and blues featuring Dr. Harp and Ron Bronstom on Harmonica backed by the VikingRaider.com band. Grand Prize at 11 pm; also, prizes after The House Is A-Rocking, Jumping Jack Flash, and Stray Cat Strut.
The Poggie’s at 4717 California SW.
Thanks to Jamie Kinney for sharing the view from the Admiral Bridge over Fairmount Ravine. Jamie says about 40 people watched from the bridge, and has a gallery with more images here.
Overall, so far, no major trouble. We roamed the busiest West Seattle spots in the hour and a half or so pre-fireworks, and during. Police were out on Alki in a big way – every half block or so, vehicles and officers were standing guard, including a few vans and even a small SPD bus. We don’t know yet if they had to make any arrests. 911 suggests no callouts for injuries.
Since the weather was so clear, multiple fireworks shows were visible from West Seattle – Bainbridge, from Alki Beach Park; Vashon, from Constellation Park, and a few others further south (not sure if the southernmost one was Des Moines or Tacoma).
ADDED 8:55 AM: While personal fireworks remain illegal in Seattle, as commenters have noted (particularly following our report on the small Admiral fire from last night), they proliferated. WSB contributor Nick Adams noticed this at Hamilton Viewpoint Park:
We’ll be checking around this morning on day-after cleanups at local parks/fields. Nick also photographed people who were at Hamilton to watch the Lake Union fireworks:
(If you find this story in subsequent years and wonder how early to get there – we stopped by around 8:45, an hour-plus before fireworks, and the park was jammed with cars, so unless you come really early, you have to plan alternate transportation, or park some distance away and walk.)
ADDED 10:09 AM: One more fireworks view – from Ilona Berzups, with the new Seattle Great Wheel showing its colors too:
Here’s another of her views, on Flickr.
10:01 PM: We’re in the 2200 block of California SW, where fire crews are checking out a “fire in building” call. More shortly.
10:03 PM UPDATE: It’s NOT a “fire in building” as per the original call – a bush/tree caught fire near Mind Unwind, the gallery/event venue a couple buildings north of the ex-Blockbuster.
10:14 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli sent the photo above after also checking out the scene; he says a witness saw the small fire sparked by fireworks.
While walking in Lincoln Park yesterday afternoon in relation to this story, the group we were covering stopped to check out a baby eagle in a nest high above. We couldn’t get a photo – but today, Gay did, along with the photo below, and tells the tale:
We got some great directions to the nest from our friend Tami and then good guidance from a kind stranger. Amazing chance to see one of the juveniles quite literally “out on a limb” waiting for lunch. The adult dropped off a big fish in the nest, rested a bit on the same limb and then went right back out to the Sound for more fish. It was glorious…enjoy!
Speaking of the beach, we mentioned today’s low tide in the morning preview. Jim Clark shared some sights on the beach, including this one:
Check out his gallery here.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Today’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was truly super. And not just because of superheroes-for-the-day Jake Haupert and 4-year-old son Quinn. The weather was super. So was the turnout.
We of course caught the entire parade on video – about 16 minutes for all participants to pass our camera at the start of the route in North Admiral – but unscientifically, we’d agree with someone who declared the crowd “denser” this year:
(Video by WSB editor Tracy Record)
We noticed more spectators too, like Jeff Kusowski and canine companion Dewey:
The West Seattle Hi-Yu contingent, as always, led the parade, right after a Seattle Police motorcycle officer and Seattle Fire Engine 29:
From there, a steady stream of red-white-and-blue – from streamers to ribbons to balloons like the ones flying high as Gretchen Evans pushed, from left, Thomas, Jackson, and Waylon:
Patriotic face-painting, even:
That’s Tessa Gates, 10, watching as Cheryl Jones painted a flag on daughter Katy, also 10. Once the parade finished crossing California SW at Atlantic, it was game time at Hamilton Viewpoint Park – here’s 7-year-old Aidan Schreck jumping ahead of his fellow sack racers:
Wheelbarrow races, too:
Now, a few more scenes from the pre-parade festivities as well as the games afterward:
More photos from this holiday – a new tradition and a not-so-new tradition:
Turns out there were TWO parades at 10 o’clock this morning! The 4000 and 4100 blocks of 32nd SW (west of Avalon Way – map) gathered for their first-ever 4th of July Bike Parade; thanks to Vince for the photo – he says it was “well-attended” plus – “there was food.”
Not far away, a West Seattle business’s traditional 4th of July sale has less than 2 hours to go:
At Avalon Glassworks (on Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge), the holiday has become a traditional day for a “seconds” sale. Co-proprietor Shannon Felix (photo right) says a line of shoppers was waiting when they opened up at 9 this morning; the sale continues – while the glass lasts! – till 3 pm.
That little guy was the very last West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade participant to cross California SW at Atlantic, and with that, the road reopened a few minutes ago. The post-parade festivities are still in full swing at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. We’ll have a full parade report with video and photos a bit later!
P.S. Till our full coverage of the parade is done – here’s the video of the entire parade (which we’ll transfer over to the in-progress story when it’s ready):
If you were up early – and in The Junction – you might have wondered what brought four police cars to 42nd/Alaska. Nope, nothing bad …
Those are the four Southwest Precinct officers who, along with one other citizen, answered the West Seattle Junction Association‘s call to help their all-around guy Don Smathers (center) with the task of placing flags along the heart of The Junction for the holiday. We followed along – photos ahead:Read More
(Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo of a holiday-ready cargo bike parked during a ride along Alki)
Welcome to the holiday! Our FULL list of Independence Day events and notes for West Seattle is on the WSB 4th of July page – including a few business notes, fireworks-watching, and more. Of particular note otherwise:
WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: The only holiday parade in West Seattle starts at 10 am at 44th/Sunset in North Admiral, all kids, of all ages, invited. Here’s our most recent preview, including the route map (organizers ask that you NOT park along it, particularly Atlantic St.). Even if you’re not participating, please note that at one point California SW is blocked both ways at Atlantic for the parade to cross, and it takes a while.
LOW-LOW TIDE: Been waiting for sunshine AND a day off to walk the beach during an extra-low tide? Today it’s -3.2 at 11:50 am.
COLMAN POOL: The newly reopened, newly renovated outdoor pool at Lincoln Park *is* open regular hours today (though indoor Southwest Pool is closed). Schedule’s here.
WADING POOLS: Doublecheck the hotline after 9 am, but today’s forecast looks promising for them to be open today. Lincoln Park, E.C. Hughes, and Hiawatha would be the ones open on Wednesdays when the weather criteria are met – here’s the schedule.
Again – lots more on the West Seattle 4th of July page.
Mark shares the photo of a Rufous Hummingbird he spotted in a nest recently in a maple tree. He’s in the Fauntleroy Park area.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight. First – have you seen the painting at right? If so, police need to know. Its artist, Mariel, says it was on display at the Admiral Theater – until someone stole it:
Recently, I put up a few paintings inside the Admiral Theater. They’ve been up now for a few months. Last week however, I went to the theater to watch a movie. I looked at my art as I walked by, and everything appeared in place. Upon exiting, I started chatting with Dinah, the manager. She mentioned how much people love the paintings, etc. She mentioned one of them.
As I looked over, my boyfriend & I both noticed it was missing.
Mariel’s report continues – along with two other reported West Seattle thefts – ahead:Read More
(WSB photo from 2010 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
All systems are go for tomorrow morning’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade through North Admiral streets, according to coordinator Sherri Chun. And she has one big reminder for people who are either coming to the parade in the morning or going to be in the area for some other reason:
I was just down along the parade route and I was asked by a resident to get the word out – please do not park on Atlantic Street between Sunset and California. This is along the parade route, and if you park there you will actually be obstructing the parade. The parade route runs south on Sunset to Atlantic, east on Atlantic, across California, then north again on Palm, ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. The police do not enforce parking. They are there to manage traffic during the parade.
Here’s the route on a map:
It starts at 44th and Sunset at 10 am tomorrow – kids of all ages welcome, whether walking, riding a bike or scooter, being pulled in a wagon, as long as it’s non-motorized; the fire engine and pickup truck at the head of the parade are usually the only motorized vehicles involved. And if you can, please bring a dollar or two for the donation boxes at the start of the parade route and the end (Hamilton Viewpoint, where there’ll be games on the green as long as the weather’s OK – the parade is rain or shine, the games are weather-dependent) – there’ll be concessions, too, offered by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. For even more parade info – all the way down to the anthem singer! – check our preview from 2 weeks ago.
Thanks to @pockrat for tweeting that photo of a traffic backup on Fauntleroy SW north of Lincoln Park a little while ago. Fauntleroy is likely to be busy as the holiday getaway traffic adds to the usual evening-commute ferry lines – plus the RapidRide-related construction continues in the dock vicinity. If you’re heading out, whether by ferry or bridge, we have a variety of relevant local cameras on the WSB Traffic page.
P.S. Speaking of traffic alerts – if you saw our story earlier about Friday’s Admiral offramp closure on the westbound West Seattle Bridge – please note, the story’s been updated; the time frame has changed to a window between 9 am-3 pm.
A comment discussion following our story on Sunday night’s Highland Park crash included a discussion of why there’s not always someone on duty at the Southwest Precinct front desk. Today, precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen explains that and other temporary changes are part of a citywide summer emphasis on maximizing patrols:
To our West Seattle Community Members,
The summer months are historically very busy for us due to numerous special events as well an increase in emergency calls for service. We have noticed that City-wide, our response times for priority 1 calls have edged into our 7 minute expectations. This increase is due to several factors which includes staffing, summer 911 call loads as well as an increase in crimes of violence which the Department has responded with Safety Emphasis patrols in many parts of the City. The emphasis patrols are gleaned from each precinct and centralized for City-Wide deployments.
Given these recent demands, we have put “all hands on deck” and reassigned our Community Police Team officers and other precinct staff into patrol cars for 911 response.
This decision was difficult and has caused us a great amount of dissonance because we firmly believe that keeping our precinct open and available to our community is very important in maintaining that partnership we value.
We will make every attempt to staff a precinct desk officer so folks can personally stop by for questions as well as get needed assistance. I would like to apologize in advance that our hours of availability will be limited and sporadic at best. Most likely if the precinct is actually open, it will be weekdays between 8am and 2pm. Outside of those hours, there is a telephone next to the main entrance where folks will be directed to our Communications Dispatch Center who can assess individual calls and send an officer for assistance.
I am anticipating that we will be back to normal operations this September…Your men and women police officers of the Southwest Precinct wish everyone in West Seattle a fun and safe summer. Again, thank you for understanding as well as helping us make West Seattle one of the safest communities in the City.
Sincerely,
Captain Steven Paulsen
Commander, Southwest Precinct
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