2:14 PM: Thanks for the tip: Windows on the two unfenced sides of the Southwest Precinct are being boarded up right now.

So far it’s just boards – no sign of the heavier fortification seen downtown. Protests previously have steered clear of this precinct, aside from the march from High Point on June 14 that stopped on Delridge yards short of the police building before heading north.

2:56 PM: A little more context – this is happening after Police Chief Carmen Best warned that a new city ordinance restricting what police can use for crowd control will result in “an adjusted deployment in response to any demonstrations this weekend.” She contends, “The Council legislation gives officers no ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large, violent crowd.” Best and Mayor Durkan held a media briefing this morning in which they urged protesters to stop the violence, saying it’s distracting from their cause.

10:16 PM: At a federal court hearing tonight, a judge blocked the new city rule from taking effect. It’s complicated, as SCC Insight explains.

Sent today by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, another of the occasional notifications that a Level 3 sex offender has moved into a local neighborhood:

In an effort to keep you informed, and in our constant attempts to reduce future victimization, we want to let you know about a level 3 sex offender that has recently moved into a SW Precinct neighborhood.

Christopher Kinser, a 59-year-old white man, is a level 3 registered sex offender who has recently moved to the 9700 block of Myers Way South. Mr. Kinser is no longer under Department of Corrections supervision.

To learn more about this offender and to see his photo, please visit the King County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender website and search by his name; you will also find personal safety tips and resources on this website. [Editor’s note: Here’s a direct link to the page with his photo and background information

To register to receive an email alert whenever a published offender registers within one mile of your desired address(es), go to (this) link.

Level 3 sex offenders pose the highest risk to re-offend. It is normal to feel upset, angry and worried about a registered sex offender living in your community. The Community Notification Act of 1990 requires sex offenders to register in the community where they live. The law also allows local law enforcement to make the public aware about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Since these offenders have completed their sentences, they are free to live where they wish. Experts believe sex offenders are less likely to re-offend if they live and work in an environment free of harassment. Any actions taken against the listed sex offenders could result in arrest and prosecution as it is against the law to use this information in any way to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders. The SPD Sex offender detectives will check on these offenders every 3 months to verify our information.

The single most effective means of protecting your child is communication with your child. They have to feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Teach your children that they should not be asked to touch anyone in the bathing suit areas of their body or allow anyone to touch them in those areas. Teach them types of situations to avoid. It is not good enough to tell a child to avoid strangers. Please remember that children are most often molested by someone they or their parents know.

Other questions? This FAQ might help

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

After five years, West Seattle and South Park police are about to get a new boss.

As reported here Friday, Capt. Pierre Davis is leaving.

“Big shoes to fill,” says the Southwest Precinct‘s next commander, Capt. Kevin Grossman. We talked with him by phone on Monday.

This won’t be his first time running a precinct. – he was South Precinct commander 2017-2019, and is currently commander of the Special Victims section, which handles cases including sexual assault. His department bio notes that he’s also served as liaison officer to the Seattle Housing Authority, supervisor in the Audit, Policy, and Research section, aide in the Chief’s Office, supervisor in the Office of Police Accountability, watch commander in two precincts, operations lieutenant in the North Precinct, and seven years as a hostage negotiator for.

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(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

5:31 PM: Thanks for the tips about the big police response in the 1100 block of Alki Avenue. Radio communication indicated a report of “possible human remains” in the water; so far, we are told at the scene, nothing definitive – they are still searching.

5:48 PM: What they HAVE found, so far, is a black plastic bag that smelled really bad. That’s why they are searching further, to look for potential contents.

6:35 PM: Police boats are still there, searching.

(Photo sent by Stewart L.)

8:08 PM: Police spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson confirms to WSB that they did find “human remains.” Several bags, according to a subsequent SPD Blotter post.

9:46 PM: Identification and cause of death will be up to the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine.

12:28 PM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo above – he says police were back out checking around the Luna Park area this morning (low tide was just after 11). We headed out in hopes of catching them but they were gone by the time we got there. Also gone, the yellow tape; the Luna/Anchor Park viewpoint is open again.

SUNDAY NOTE: As discussed in comments, TikTok users who say they made the original discovery – showing a suitcase on the rocks by Luna/Anchor Park – have posted videos about it. They say police didn’t respond to their original report until repeated calls hours later. We will be following up on that too (and, as noted in comments, would be interested in talking with anybody who has firsthand knowledge – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!).

12:58 PM: Longtime Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis is leaving, reassigned to headquarters. We just received his announcement:

To our West Seattle community,

Our nation has been obviously challenged this year. The Covid-19 virus and its accompanying prevention protocols took us all by storm and has changed our daily interactions with one another. Also, we are struggling with a multitude of civil unrest incidents sparked by the killing/death of George Floyd.

In dealing with both monumental issues, I’ve seen the very best in a great many people. With Covid-19, I’ve witnessed neighbors helping neighbors accompanied with a great partnership effort with police and Seattle Fire, and with the recent protests and marches, I’ve seen a great many communities accompanied by law enforcement, peacefully marching, partnering for a common peaceful goal.

That said, I must give credit where credit is due. Our West Seattle communities, including South Park, have stepped up greatly and displayed front and center what it looks and feels like when a community and their officers take serious ownership of one another, and for that I am truly grateful.

The outpouring of support and outreach by our community to your officers during these times is heartfelt and a testament to the trust and partnership that you have with your officers.

I’ve had the pleasure to work with and for you for several years and I couldn’t be more proud and honored for that privilege. That said, regretfully I must inform you that I will be reassigned to Police Headquarters at the end of June, completing a 5-year tour of duty as your precinct commander. I want to thank our West Seattle community for hanging in there with us as we try to provide the very best in responsive police services. Again, Thank You for your unwavering support, friendship and partnership!

Sincerely,

Captain Pierre Davis
Commander, Southwest Precinct

We have a message out to find out who will succeed him, whether interim or permanent.

BACKGROUND: Capt. Davis came to the precinct in 2010 as second in command – Operations Lt. – after serving in the Traffic Division. He led the precinct as interim commander in 2014, the year he was promoted to captain. He left West Seattle for a while and was at the East Precinct before returning here in 2015 as commander after then-Capt. Steve Wilske was promoted ta assistant chief.

3:42 PM: No word yet about who’ll run the precinct next – responding to our inquiry, Public Affairs’ Sgt. Lauren Truscott said they didn’t have that information yet.

ADDED MONDAY: Captain Kevin Grossman will be the new precinct commander. We talked with him this afternoon and will have that story later in the day.

8:17 PM: Just got a call from neighbors of the family looking for Byron, missing about half an hour near 56th and Dakota. He’s in his 70s and has dementia; he’s white, with white hair, 5’9″, thin, wearing a red/white/blue collared shirt and tan pants. Police are searching too. If you see him, call 911.

8:20 PM: Good news! He’s been found, safe.

ADDED: The photo mentioned in a comment, published with the family’s permission:

Two reader reports this afternoon. First, from H:

At 5:27 am today, 6/4/2020 while waiting at the bus stop for the C line going Downtown, at the Morgan junction /California and Fauntleroy, a man in his mid to late 30’s, wearing a bright white jacket, fairly dark skin, was attempting to lure me into his car. The man was driving a Toyota Prius in dark metallic Gray.

This man pulled over by entrance of the Cal-Mor Circle apartments, and from there he started asking how I was doing, what my name was, and if I needed a ride. I said I didn’t need a ride, and he immediately followed up with “when is your bus coming?” I told him he needed to go right now. Fortunately, my bus was in fact coming, and he started driving away slowly, N bound on California Ave.

I got on the bus and I noticed he had turned around, and was now slowly driving south on California Ave. looking for me, perhaps thinking I was still waiting at the stop. I was able to snap a few pictures of the car, but wasn’t able to get the plate because I was very nervous. I’ve attached the picture from when I got on the bus.

The SPD incident # is 2020-181096.

MISSING BICYCLE: Likely stolen. From Nicole: “”Our bike went missing from our street last night (Wednesday night). It is a Diamondback Line 24″ in blue, which is a larger size kids’ mountain bike. The bike went missing in south Arbor Heights, near the Arroyos. If anyone has seen this bike or has information about it, please comment on this post. Much appreciated!”

(WSB photos)

That’s Dan Austin in the kitchen at his Morgan Junction restaurant Peel & Press. If you notice police vehicles outside the restaurant today/tonight, it’s not bad news this time – he’s serving free food to law-enforcement officers today, as National Police Week continues. That includes slices (not usually on the P&P menu) for officers on the go. His partner in giving to the law-enforcement community today is the Seattle Police Officers Guild:

On the left is Mike Solan, SPOG president, who visited Peel & Press this morning. SPOG is covering the cost of today’s free meals for officers (available until 10 tonight), which are in addition to the free meals P&P routinely provides to people in need. Austin tells WSB that today’s SPOG donation will help keep that program going, as well as helping cover the cost of repairs from the recent burglary at the restaurant.

P.S. SPOG also had another West Seattle stop today to help out – for the second Friday in a row, they hauled food to the West Seattle Food Bank, a half-ton from West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor).