West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
(WSB photo from late this afternoon)
As reported in our coverage of Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s Highland Park Action Committee appearance last night, the city says its cleanup of the east side of Myers Way – which, as noted here Tuesday night, involved dozens of city crews – only took three days. This formal notification is from the Southwest Precinct:
The SW Precinct would like to inform our community that the Myers Way encampment has officially been dismantled. Hundreds of pounds of trash and debris was removed and the encampment was entirely cleared out.
Although the individuals living there were offered many services that the City of Seattle has to offer, a majority of the encampment’s residents declined these offers.
The SW Precinct is working diligently to track the displacement of these individuals, and we encourage our community to stay vigilant and aware. Remember to report crime and suspicious behavior by calling 911, secure your homes and outbuildings by locking doors and windows, and get involved with your community via Block Watch and other community organizations.
Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner, who sent the announcement, also reminds you that she and the precinct offer “free safety/security assessments” – e-mail her at jennifer.danner@seattle.gov to find out more.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the fourth time in two weeks, the big headline in a community-meeting update from Southwest Precinct police leadership was the Myers Way east-side cleanup – now under way.
This time, the update was at the first West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting since the group’s summer hiatus (most community groups skip at least a month of meetings in the summer). The meeting also included a briefing on Mental Health First Aid training. But first:
POLICE BRIEFING: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said they’re trying to “not spend a lot of time reintroducing ourselves to old problems … there’s a lot of frustration with problems that pop up over and over again.” He said RVs and encampments are a recurring concern and insisted “we go after them very vigorously until we get them gone.” He said they have been “dismantling that monstrosity,” referring to the illegal encampment on Myers Way where a major city-led cleanup is in its second day – we went by again this afternoon and saw 29 city vehicles large and small, including SPD’s Mobile Precinct.
2:41 AM: Just checked this out after a tip. SFD and all but one Seattle Police officer had already cleared the scene in the 7100 block of 29th SW. SPD says it was a “person in crisis” situation and that the person has been taken to the hospital. We’ll add any followup information we get later.
12:53 PM: Update from SFD: The person who was transported was taken to the hospital in stable condition with what was determined to be a self-inflicted wound.
One week has now passed since West Seattleite Jackie Dupras was last seen by her loved ones. They are hopeful that someone somewhere has seen her or knows where she is and can help bring her home. One big way to help: Distribute this poster, online and offline, because she could be anywhere by now. She has been diagnosed with dementia.
Here is a printable PDF version of the poster. As noted, Jackie is 74 years old, 5’3″, 135 pounds, with red/gray hair. We’ve asked that family and friends let us know if there are any organized searches or other ways people could help – for now, the main thing you can do is to just be on the lookout anywhere and everywhere, and call 911 with any information.
An alert from Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Steve Strand: “We have gotten several complaints of “rude” and harassing phone calls coming from one of our Southwest Precinct phone numbers. These calls are not coming from our building.” In one example, a person received a call on their cell phone displaying a number that started with 206-233; the caller asked for the recipient by name, and when they asked who was calling, the caller uttered a profane death threat, and shortly thereafter hung up. Lt. Strand says they want to get the word out about this “to alert our community that we are attempting to address this concern and determine who is doing this and why.”
12:54 AM: Police are being sent right now to the Harbor Avenue 7-11 after a reported armed robbery. According to police dispatch, three people robbed the store at gunpoint. The clerk is reported to be injured, so SFD is being sent too. So far, only a partial description of the robbers – three men, one black, two white, in their late 20s, one in a white jacket, two in black jackets. We’ll add anything more we find out.
1:00 AM: Two of the robbers were reported to have been wearing masks; all three were last seen walking away, possibly carrying cases of beer. The Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter is now in the area helping with the search.
1:29 AM: No luck so far.
10:19 AM: We just checked with SPD media relations. The robbers are still at large. Description and circumstances info in the report is all the same as what we reported at the time, with two added details: This was reported by a customer who came into the store about five minutes after the holdup and found the clerk injured. One of the robbers had hit him on the back of the head with an object believed to have been a gun. SFD treated him at the scene.
11:07 AM: A large police/fire response along the Duwamish River this morning followed the discovery of a body in the water. A Seattle Police spokesperson tells WSB they got word from Port of Seattle PD, and a search/recovery operation ensued. We went to the area south of Herring’s House Park after tips from passersby who noticed the sizable police presence. SFD and SPD teamed up for the recovery operation. We have no information yet about the person who was found – not even gender/age, nor how they died, which will be up to the King County Medical Examiner to determine.
12:08 PM: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Steve Strand has one additional detail – he tells us the person who died was an “adult male.”
TUESDAY NIGHT: It’s now a day and a half since we reported that SPD was asking for help finding missing West Seattle resident Jackie Dupras, and her daughter says Jackie has not yet been found, and they are searching and posting flyers. She is described as “74, diagnosed with dementia and increasing memory issues, 5’3″, 135 lbs., reddish gray hair, green eyes.” Last seen Sunday in North Admiral, in the 1900 block of 46th Ave SW. Call 911 if you have information.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Here’s the poster her family has made:
Another West Seattle missing-person alert from SPD:
MISSING: Jacqueline Dupras, 74. Diagnosed with dementia and increasing memory issues. 5'3", 135 lbs., reddish grey hair, green eyes. Unknown clothing description. Last seen Sunday in the 1900 block 46th Ave SW. Call 911 if seen. pic.twitter.com/cpON5jvJyg
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) September 17, 2018
Jackie has long been active in the community, so many know her.
9:29 AM: If you’ve noticed the police presence in/around Lincoln Park – we just went down to find out. Officers say a man tried to rob the gas station/mini-mart just north of the park and might have fled into the park, so that’s why they’ve been searching. The description broadcast on police radio: “Light-skinned black male, light facial hair,” wearing a baseball-style cap over a pulled-up hoodie with three reflective strips on it and cut-off sleeves, black pants, running shoes. If you have any information, call 911.
9:33 AM: Our crew subsequently went over to the gas station, where they were told it wasn’t an attempt, it was indeed a robbery, and the robber got away with some money. Detectives are there talking with them now.
Tuesday night, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council resumes monthly meetings after summer break – and it’s all about you. WSCPC president Richard Miller tells WSB the agenda is simple: Updates from local police, followed by open time for you to ask police questions and voice crime/safety-related concerns. It’s a unique chance to talk with police face to face, 7 pm Tuesday (September 18th) at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
12:01 AM: Just broadcast on police radio, the teen boy missing in West Seattle has been found.
Earlier:
If you saw police under the West Seattle Bridge around 4 pm Thursday afternoon – they were involved in a rescue just detailed on SPD Blotter, with the body-cam video you can watch above. Here’s how Det. Patrick Michaud tells the story:
Some jobs call for a ladder, others call for 13 tons of steel, 127 horsepower (net, of course) and a quiet, but powerful hydraulic system.
Witnesses called 911 Thursday afternoon to report a man on a ledge in the 2600 block of SW Spokane Street.
Officers found the man standing on a ledge that they estimated to be six inches wide, occasionally slipping. Fearing for the man’s safety, Officer Morgan Irwin, whom you may remember from the time he commandeered a jetski, spotted a nearby backhoe driving down the road. Officer Irwin ran over to the driver and asked him for help.
The driver was able to position the machinery below the 48-year-old man, allowing him to safely jump inside it.
Once he was on the ground, medics took the man to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
Officer Irwin could not be reached for comment about what he planned to commandeer next.
Saturday night, we received a few messages about a police search, guns drawn, near California/Alaska in The Junction, including the photo above. We weren’t able to find out at the time what the search was about, but we found an incident number and requested followup information today. SPD tells WSB that a man with a gun was reported to have threatened a group of people. No shots fired, no one hurt, but officers found and arrested a suspect. The 40-year-old man remains in jail, under investigation for potential charges including unlawful use of a weapon for intimidation.
Thanks for the tips about that big police response midblock on California SW between Alaska and Edmunds. We got there just as they were wrapping up. They tell us they were called about a man harassing passersby and people in businesses; when the first officers on the scene made contact with the suspect, he was uncooperative and they called for backup. He is now in custody; no injuries reported.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
GUARDIAN ONE: Thanks to those who messaged us a few minutes ago that the law-enforcement helicopter was in the Westwood area; it wasn’t showing on flight tracker so we didn’t know until then. We checked in with them on Twitter and the reply: “Assisted Seattle PD with taking a felony suspect into custody near Westwood Village.”
STOLEN CAR: Alex e-mailed this report a short time ago: “My car was stolen outside of Southwest Youth and Family Services, at 25th SW and SW Alaska St. Blue Ford Taurus, 2005, WA license plate AVD0257. There is a Rover.com magnet on the back that may have been peeled off.” Call 911 if you see it. (SATURDAY UPDATE: Alex says his car has been recovered.)
8:52 AM: Thanks for the tips about a big police response in The Junction, in the alley just east of California/Alaska. It ended before we even got there but police wrapping up at the scene say it involved a man with what turned out to be a BB/pellet gun. He is in custody. No one hurt. Mike Lindblom, West Seattleite who happens to also be a Seattle Times journalist, was there as this unfolded – on his way to catch a bus – and tweeted:
Some very nervous @seattlepb with rifles and K9 just arrested a man in WS Junction whom neighbors say had fired a pellet pistol. No injuries or police-force used.
— Michael C. Lindblom (@MikeLindblom) August 29, 2018
He also says Husky Deli owner Jack Miller confronted the man. We’re headed over to see if we can talk to him.
9:24 AM: More from Mike in this comment. Meantime, WSB’s Patrick Sand talked with Jack Miller, who says it was an Airsoft-type pellet pistol and that the man who had it claimed he was just “shooting at the flowers.”
ADDED FRIDAY: Just discovered Instagram user @r_dabernathy‘s video of this. Adding for the record:
Below are three items reported to us as found but likely stolen/dumped so as is customary, we’re noting them here rather than pointing people to WSB’s regular West Seattle Lost/Found/Non-Pets section:
FOUND GOLD WATCH, JEWELRY: This report was sent to us by the Seattle Police Evidence Unit. Turned in at the Southwest Precinct: A gold watch and “other items” of gold jewelry. Police can’t match them to anything reported as stolen or lost. If they might be yours, call 206-684-8720, extension 8 – proof of ownership will be required.
FOUND BICYCLE: This was found behind the Kingdom of Basil Wellness Clinic in South Delridge:
If it’s yours, please contact the clinic at 206-937 6288.
FOUND TOOL: A miter saw was found on a planting strip near the intersection of 35th and Raymond last week. If you’re missing one, let us know.
As Mayor Jenny Durkan did last fall, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best took her oath of office multiple times today. One ceremony was in Southwest Precinct territory, at the South Park Community Center, after the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums opened the ceremony:
Chief Best’s other ceremonies were at City Hall and at the Northwest African American Museum in the Central District. Here’s her bio; she’s been with SPD for 26 years.
Three notes tonight:
STOLEN VEHICLE: Jyl’s 1993 white Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen in the 9800 block of 24th SW. Plates AYU8906. Call 911 if you’ve seen it.
DUMPED BAG: Stephanie found this dumped in her alley over the weekend, near 35th/Dawson:
Recognize it? Let us know and we’ll connect you.
ABOUT THAT POLICE RESPONSE: Got a few questions about a police response late today near 35th/107th in Arbor Heights. It was a “person in crisis” situation, related to a family dispute, resolved without injury.
(August 7th photo courtesy SW Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner)
Newly confirmed Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best was in South Park two weeks ago for Night Out, and she will return tomorrow for one of three swearing-in ceremonies around the city. Here’s the announcement from the mayor’s office:
On Tuesday, August 21, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best will participate in three swearing-in ceremonies, including a large community ceremony at the Northwest African American Museum.
Last week, City Council confirmed Chief Carmen Best, who is a 26-year member of the Seattle Police Department. Best was integral in helping the department navigate the Federal Consent Decree, eventually leading to “full and effective” compliance. She is the first African American woman to lead the Seattle Police Department in its 149-year history.
When: Tuesday, August 21 at 11:30 am
Where: Ceremony in Bertha Knight Landes at City Hall, located at 600 4th AvenueWhen: Tuesday, August 21 at 1:00 pm
Where: South Park Community Center, located at 8319 8th Avenue SWhen: Tuesday, August 21 at 4:30 pm (reception immediately following ceremony)
Where: Northwest African American Museum, located at 2300 S Massachusetts St
Thanks for all the texts about the Guardian One helicopter over North Delridge. We hadn’t heard about any corresponding ground activity so started heading that way – and they promptly left. But on Twitter they’ve responded to our mention by saying they were helping find a stolen vehicle that was emitting a LoJack signal. They say SPD is recovering it now.
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