West Seattle, Washington
07 Thursday
(Added: WSB photo)
12:04 PM: Police are at 15th/Cambridge [map] after a 911 call from someone who thought they heard gunfire. An officer has just told dispatch they’ve confirmed it, finding “a couple casings” in the intersection. No injuries reported so far.
12:09 PM: While they’re not certain it’s related, police told dispatch a neighbor heard “an argument between a male and female” before the gunshots. No description(s).
12:34 PM: Added photo while at the scene. The casings are actually on 15th just south of the intersection.
Back on Tuesday morning, a multi-agency law-enforcement operation converged on a house in the 8800 block of 38th SW in Upper Fauntleroy, with a helicopter circling above. Though marked Seattle Police cars were part of it, SPD had no information to provide, and King County Sheriff’s Office told us the helicopter wasn’t theirs (we asked because the KCSO helicopter Guardian One is the main helicopter supporting local law-enforcement agencies). We also inquired with the Washington State Patrol, as the last vehicles leaving the scene included one with their logo. Today WSP answered our inquiry by saying the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was the lead agency. We subsequently contacted the local DEA to ask what they could tell us; the entirety of their reply – “It is part of an ongoing DEA narcotics investigation.”
6:34 AM: Thanks for the tips. A helicopter’s been over Gatewood/Fauntleroy a while, but not showing on radar. A reader who heard what sounded like a flashbang said 911 told them there’s a warrant service in the vicinity. We’re working to find out more.
6:41 AM: Multiple texters say they’re seeing police on the ground at a location in Upper Fauntleroy.
7:29 AM: Multiple readers report the location is on 38th SW between Trenton and Henderson. We went through a short time ago and noticed SPD and WSP vehicles still in the vicinity, at the Trenton end.
9:26 AM: SPD’s media office says it has no information on the operation, at least so far. We’re trying other agencies too, and will update here if/when we find out anything.
11:25 AM: Still trying – warrant operations tend to be notoriously difficult to get information about, until/unless court cases result. King County Sheriff’s Office says the helicopter was NOT Guardian One, which often supports other law-enforcement agencies including SPD, but, a KCSO spokesperson tells us, was not flying in support of anything this morning.
5:05 PM: The business day has ended without any additional information emerging; the State Patrol neither responded to nor acknowledged our inquiry. So it’s a mystery for now, but we’re not giving up.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: The WSP tells us this was a DEA-led operation. We have an inquiry out to the local DEO office to see if they are able to tell us anything more.
5:27 PM TUESDAY: Thanks to the multiple readers who have forwarded this announcement sent to Chief Sealth International High School families:
Dear Chief Sealth International families and staff,
We are writing to share some important personnel information with you.
At approximately 3 a.m. Sunday, Principal Ray Garcia-Morales was arrested by the Seattle Police Department for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment. He was immediately placed on administrative leave until further notice.
According to court records, no charges were filed, and the case has been closed. As this is a personnel issue, further details are confidential to protect privacy rights.
Assistant Principal Hope Perry will be stepping in to serve in his absence. Please feel free to reach out to her with school-related questions.
As other questions arise concerning this sensitive matter, please send them to publicaffairs@seattleschools.org.
Sincerely,
Bev Redmond
Chief of Staff
Seattle Public Schools
Looking at the case documents, the incident number matches the one in the West Seattle Bridge flipped-car crash we reported early Sunday.
(SDOT camera image, early Sunday)
We had updated the story yesterday when police confirmed the driver was arrested for DUI and reckless endangerment – and as we finished writing this story, SPD confirmed the 47-year-old Garcia-Morales was that driver. Jail records say he was booked into jail Sunday morning and released Monday evening. The case documents note that the City Attorney’s Office declined to file charges now but could still in the future.
ADDED 11:50 AM WEDNESDAY: The documents that were available online when we first got word of this Tuesday evening did not include report narrative. Some readers have since mentioned a citywide outlet that apparently had word of the case earlier, including the police-report narrative suggesting this was more than just a crash case. Report narratives aren’t available online but SPD provides some at reporters’ request, and we were able to obtain this one this morning.
The officer writing the report says they found “Suspect 1” standing next to the overturned Toyota Highlander and writes (exact quote from what SPD provided us):
Suspect 1 stated that he was driving and took the turn too fast. Suspect 1 denied anyone else being in the vehicle, and denied drinking alcohol. I noticed Suspect 1’s eyes were bloodshot.
When Officers told Suspect 1 that 911 callers stated they saw a female exit and run away from the vehicle after the collision, Suspect 1 denied any knowledge of anyone else being in the vehicle. Suspect 1 denied medical aid, officers noticed an abrasion on the left side of Suspect 1’s neck traveling from his neck to his head above his ear.
Officers noticed that Suspect 1 was a large male, and that the drivers seat was pushed so far forward, that it would be unreasonable for Suspect 1 to fit in the drivers seat. Additionally the drivers seatbelt was locked from the collision, and the passengers seatbelt was fully redacted into the seatbelt device.Due to the above factors, Officers believed that Suspect 1 was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash, and was released with a business card.
Officer Gregory and I decided to go to the registered owner’s address (redacted) to potentially locate the driver and/or owner. The registered owner of the Toyota was listed as VICTIM.
Upon arrival of the listed registered owners address, we were allowed into the residence by Victim, we verified her identity at the residence, by name and date of birth. Victim stated her and Suspect 1 were at a party in Capitol Hill where Suspect 1 was drinking alcohol, and that she noticed Suspect 1 falling asleep, so she suggested they go home. Victim stated this upset Suspect 1, who began calling Victim a “b—h”.
Suspect 1 got in the drivers seat and drove Victim after the party in Capitol Hill. Victim video tapped Suspect 1 driving because she was afraid of him. This was later verified and time stamped at 23:41, Victim was sent an axon link for the video. Before they got onto I-5 they switched seats.
At the listed location of the crash, Suspect 1 opened the passenger side door, Suspect 1 told Victim “do you wanna die”, then Suspect 1 grabbed and pulled the steering wheel causing the Toyota to overturn. Victim also stated that Suspect 1 has abused animals in the past.
Victim stated she fled the scene because she was scared of Suspect 1. Victim stated that Suspect 1 has been verbally abusive in the past, and has abused the family dog before, and that there was a prior incident back in 2017-18 between them.
The rest of the narrative says Garcia-Morales was arrested at a relative’s house in Burien, on suspicion of reckless endangerment, because of what the victim told them. They added DUI to the investigation because of the victim’s aforementioned video showing him driving after they left the party. (The reference to an “axon link” is technology through which people can upload video if involved in a specific SPD case.) The report says deputies brought him from Burien to West Seattle, and from there he was booked into King County Jail. This case was initially handled through the Municipal Court system, and as noted, he was released without charges being filed by the City Attorney’s Office, but with very clear messaging that charges are still a possibility in the future:
Notice to the Defendant:
The Seattle City Attorney’s office is not filing criminal charges against you at this time. You will be released today without conditions. However, the City Attorney’s office may file charges against you in the future in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington.
(WSB photo)
8:25 PM: That was the scene in the 4000 block of SW Henderson [vicinity map] a short time ago, as police investigated gunfire in the Fauntlee Hills neighborhood. They told us at the scene that no one was hurt, but they found two shell casings in the street, and bullet damage to at least one parked car. They say the shooter left in a vehicle. We’ll add anything more we find out; if you have any information, the SPD incident # to refer to is 25-028468.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Police have released this summary:
At 1941 hours, the complainant was inside his house located at the 4000 BLK of SW Henderson St. The complainant heard his vehicle being tampered with in his driveway. The complainant looked out and saw his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend tampering with his vehicle. The complainant screamed at the two suspects, and they ran to a black Mercedes. The male suspect pulled out a gun and shot at the complainant. The suspects then drove away. The complainant didn’t have any injuries. Officers arrived and processed the scene. The suspects weren’t located.
(Seattle Police Department photo)
Six weeks after Mayor Bruce Harrell nominated Shon Barnes, then police chief in Madison, Wisconsin, to take over the Seattle Police Department, Chief Barnes has started work. SPD says his first day today was busy “with meeting new colleagues, media interviews, and getting to know the community.” Barnes, 50, is quoted as saying he will “be making sure we’re establishing a culture of excellence and procedural justice within the department.” Also still ahead: The City Council confirmation process.
(Added: WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
1:28 PM: Police are at 35th and Barton after confirming gunfire at or near the 7-11 – “multiple shell casings.” The shooter is described as a Black man, 20s, 5’7″, slim, blue puffy jacket, armed with a handgun, believed to have left in a red Toyota RAV-4, southbound on 35th SW. Updates to come.
(Reader photo)
1:32 PM: No report of any injuries so far. Police say that so far they’ve recovered ten 9mm casings.
2:12 PM: Just back from the area to see where outside the store the casings were found. North side; adding photos. Also, as a commenter notes, Summit Atlas at 35th/Roxbury is sheltering in place, per a message sent to parents.
2:19 PM: Per a radio exchange, police will be telling the school (and an area preschool that apparently also was sheltering) that it’s OK to lift the shelter-in-place.
ADDED SUNDAY: Police have released their summary:
At 1320 hours, officers responded to the 9200 block of 35 Ave SW to a report of a shooting. Officers arrived and the suspect and any victims had already fled the scene. During their investigation, officers found that a lone gunman entered the parking lot on foot and appeared to target a single vehicle with multiple occupants parked at one of the pumps, firing several shots at it.
(WSB file photo from last year)
Less than two weeks into the new year, with an extensive recruiting campaign continuing, the city has totaled up how Seattle Police staffing ended the year. A news release from Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s office says 84 officers were hired, and 83 officers left – the first year since 2019 that hires outnumbered departures. Here’s their chart for the past six years – note the number of deployable officers is up too:
(Corrected table added 4:05 pm after receiving from mayor’s office – adds ‘total number’ column)
The mayor’s office also says the number of applicants last year more than doubled from the year before – 4,115 compared to 1,998 in 2023.
We asked how many of the departures were retirements and how many were resignations. Mayoral spokesperson Callie Craighead replied, “In 2024 there were 36 retirements and 24 resignations. In 2023 there were 39 retirements and 24 resignations. So retirements were down slightly from 2023, and resignations remained consistent.”
(Photo from comment by ‘Tired’)
11:03 PM MONDAY: Police checking out 911 calls about possible gunfire just before 11 pm in the Westwood area have just confirmed it. Officers told dispatch they’ve found casings at 27th/Thistle [map], near Chief Sealth IHS and Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex. No word yet of injuries; at least one parked car is reported to have damage.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The SPD summary of the incident changes the intersection to 27th/Trenton and adds other details:
At 2253 hours, several callers reported hearing the sound of gunfire in the area of 27 Av SW and SW Trenton St. Officers arrived at that intersection to find 13 spent 10mm shell casings on the east side of the intersection, and three spent 9mm shell casings approximately 10-15 yards west of them. A nearby parked and unoccupied vehicle had a round go through both the rear window and windshield. No bullet fragments were recovered. Surveillance footage didn’t reveal anything of evidentiary value. The spent shell casings were photographed and placed into evidence.
(Added: Texted reader photo)
4:27 AM: Thanks for the tips. Police are at the gas station/minimart at 4580 Fauntleroy Way SW trying to arrest a suspect. Radio traffic indicates the person they’re after is an assault suspect; the incident is described as domestic violence. More details as we get them.
4:44 AM: According to audio from the initial dispatch, the victim was described as a “man, bleeding badly, who said he was in a fight with his wife.” The victim has been taken to a hospital.
4:59 AM: They’re still searching for the suspect, now with a K-9 team helping. She is described as a Hispanic woman in her late 30s, about 4’8″, pink sweater, possibly armed with a knife (though the assault was not described nor dispatched as a stabbing).
5:14 AM: The K-9-accompanied search has ranged into the neighborhoods north/northeast of Fauntleroy/Alaska, so if you’re in that area and seeing/hearing police, it’s related to this.
5:48 AM: That search is continuing. Meantime, police have obtained a warrant to search the vehicle in which the suspect and victim are reported to have arrived at the gas station.
(Added: Reader photo)
5:53 AM: The tracking team has wound up back at the gas station. Meantime, we’re following up with SFD on the victim’s condition when taken to the hospital.
6:04 AM: They’ve finished that search; no one inside. The vehicle was initially described as a pickup truck but subsequent mentions, and at least one nearby resident, say it’s an RV.
6:14 AM: The search is wrapping up for now. We’ll be following up with police too.
11:45 AM: SFD says the victim, 34, was in stable condition when transported.
1:05 PM: And police have just confirmed to WSB that the suspect, 37, has been arrested. The jail register shows she was booked just before 10 am.
ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:
At 0401 hours, the victim drove his RV to the Shell Gas Station located at the 4500 BLK of Fauntleroy WY SW. The victim fell asleep, and the suspect became mad. The suspect started yelling at the victim and she pulled out a knife. The suspect slashed at the victim, and he blocked it with his arm. The victim suffered a deep laceration on his upper right wrist. The victim was transported to HMC by AMR. K9 responded to the scene and completed a track, but the suspect wasn’t located. A warrant was completed and approved. The suspect wasn’t located inside the RV. … The suspect was later located, arrested, and booked into KCJ for Assault.
She remains at the King County Jail as of late today.
We asked SPD about an incident logged just after noon Monday because its classification on the call map suggested it might have been a shots-fired incident, and the address was near Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point. The police report says someone called in to report finding two bullets on the ground on the trails just outside the campus, “on the path that comes from 20th Avenue SW leading south to the school through the woods.” This was further described as a trail “outside the large fenced property to the west of Pathfinder School.” Police arrived and took the two unspent 9mm bullets; the person who found them said they hadn’t seen anyone around or near the bullets.
As speculated in citywide media in recent days, Mayor Bruce Harrell has chosen Madison, Wisconsin, Police Chief Shon Barnes as the next Seattle Police Chief. The announcement says Barnes “brings to Seattle a record of accomplishment, including implementing solutions that have driven a 67% decrease in homicides, a 40% decrease in auto thefts, and a 19% decrease in reports of shots fired so far in 2024, as well as advancing strategies to build an inclusive police service where 28% of officers are women.” The announcement adds, “Mayor Harrell will welcome Chief Barnes to Seattle with a public event in January, and Chief Barnes will begin a series of meetings with community members in city neighborhoods.” In Madison this week, he has been dealing with a high-profile case, a deadly school shooting. Barnes has been Madison chief for three and a half years, and has worked in law enforcement for 24 years, according to his Madison PD bio. If confirmed, he will succeed Interim Chief Sue Rahr, who came out of retirement earlier this year to lead SPD while a new chief was found in the wake of Adrian Diaz‘s then-demotion; she was not seeking the permanent position. You can read the full announcement here; it also notes:
There were 57 total applications received from across the United States which were reviewed and narrowed to a list of 44 qualified candidates. The top four candidates were invited to take a competitive exam in November, as required by the City Charter. Three candidates – Chief Barnes; Nicholas Augustine, Assistant Chief of the Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Police; and Emada Tingirides, Deputy Chief, Los Angeles Police Department – passed the exam and were forwarded to Mayor Harrell for his consideration and final selection.
The city announcement also notes that the SPD chief’s job description was shaped by input from public-safety forums held around the city earlier this year; the one for the Southwest Precinct was a lightly attended event in South Park (WSB coverage here) two weeks before then-Chief Diaz was demoted.
2:22 AM: SPD sent officers out to look for the source of possible gunfire after numerous 911 calls a short time ago from various areas, and they found it near Westwood Village. They’ve found shell casings – from a rifle – after a man told them someone in a car shot at him at the bus stop in the 2600 block of SW Barton. He apparently was not hurt. He told police the gunfire came from a dark-gray Acura with four people inside, described as Asian, male, late teens to early twenties, in blue clothing. The vehicle was last seen heading eastbound on Barton, which is temporarily closed at the scene while officers collect evidence.
2:49 AM: Officers are reopening the street, and also told dispatch they’ve collected 12 spent rounds and found gunshot damage on the ATI Physical Therapy building (along north side of Barton in WWV).
ADDED FRIDAY: Here’s the SPD summary – adding both that the shell casings were from three different types of guns, and that the reported target was on the shopping center premises when shot at:
At 0200 hours, numerous callers reported hearing shots spanning a large area of SW Pct. Officers conducted an extensive search and located a male at a bus stop in the 2600 block of SW Barton St who stated that he was the target of the shooting. This male made no attempt to call 911 or flag Officers down to report being shot at. This male stated that he had been standing at the bus shelter when a dark gray Acura drove past him. The vehicle was reportedly occupied by 4 A/M wearing blue. The vehicle made a U-turn, and the victim had a feeling he was about to be shot at, so he began to run north into the shopping complex. The suspect vehicle stopped in the roadway, shot at the victim as he ran, did not hit him and fled the area. Officers processed the scene and recovered the following fired cartridge casings: seven .223, three .357 and two 9mm. One building sustained damage from being struck multiple times by gunfire. No other victims were located at this time. No cameras were located that may have captured the incident.
Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
SECOND 7-ELEVEN ROBBERY OF THE DAY: After the robbery on which we reported late last night, there was another one at a West Seattle 7-Eleven hours later – the South Delridge 7-Eleven was held up just before 5:30 am. The initial description of the robbers – four Black teenagers, black clothing and masks, armed with a gun and a knife, who got away with cash and “tobacco products.” Police believe the same robbers were involved in an overnight robbery in North Seattle. If you have any information, the incident number is 24-349592.
MORGAN JUNCTION BURGLARY: After hearing a bit about this break-in via police radio after it was reported around 1 am today, we requested the narrative from SPD. It says that officers were dispatched to Waterfront Federal Credit Union in the 6400 block of Fauntleroy Way SW after an alarm trip revealed a video feed showing someone inside. That person was gone by the time officers responded. They found the building opened and that someone had used the kitchen. The burglar seen on the video was described as ” a white male, thin build wearing a beanie with a black coat and dark camouflage pants.” There was a report of a car outside the building that disappeared after the burglar did, but no description. The credit union contact wasn’t immediately sure if anything had been taken; police did find likely fingerprints and used “print cards” for evidence.
PROWLER: A reader sent this report:
Last night around 2 am a man walked up to the door of a home I am dog-sitting at and after knocking at the front door continued to walk around the property. He appears to be intoxicated. Police were called shortly after the man was seen but had left the property once police had been called. There was no sign of break-in, a few door handles rattled but nothing else. I wanted to share this (image) if anyone might know who he is or has seen him.
I also have a photo that I just received from the neighbors of the house I am staying at. The person who tried to open the doors to the house also kicked the side fence down. They either came in through the fence, having come through the neighbors yard first or left through the fence before police arrived.
This happened on 41st SW – we have a followup question out asking where on that street, which runs north to south along almost the entire peninsula.
P.S. – MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE: Several readers reported what looked like a pursuit around 2 pm today, with non-Seattle police vehicles roaring off Harbor SW and onto the West Seattle Bridge, last seen exiting onto I-5. We asked around this afternoon to try to find out what that was about and haven’t yet had any luck.
(WSB photo)
9:07 PM: Police are searching for a group of robbers who are reported to have taken the cash drawer from the 35th/Barton 7-Eleven store a little over half an hour ago. They are described on police radio as “unknown-race males, teens-twenties, black puffy jackets, hats, masks,” with a gun implied but not seen, getting away southbound on 35th. A K-9 team is joining the search.
9:13 PM: The trail is reported to have ended on 34th, where police suspect a getaway car was parked.
(L-R, Unified Care Team’s Ali Peters and Darius Foster, SW Precinct Capt. Krista Bair)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
We’ve already reported the two major headlines from last week’s quarterly Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting – an update on the shooting death of 15-year-old Sudaysi Ida, and news of a one-day retail-theft crackdown at Westwood Village.
Now, the rest of the news from the meeting, facilitated by Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite. Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair was there, Operations Lt. Nate Shopay too, community liaison Officer German Barreto, Unified Care Team director Ali Peters and UCT manager Darius Foster, who focuses on the south end via SDOT, plus two Community Service Officers and two reps from the mayor’s office.
PRECINCT UPDATE: After the two updates mentioned earlier. Capt. Bair opened the floor to Q&A. A resident of the 25th/Brandon area said “it’s an interesting place to live” – no break-ins or robberies on their block but they’re “surrounded by disorganized crime” within a few blocks – homes with too many people living there, ‘we’ve talked to the police ad nauseam and finally given up.” They’re trying to beat back the disorder. “Do you guys know roughly what the population in our precinct is?” Bair didn’t know (but we can offer the estimate of 115,000, since it’s West Seattle and South Park) – Satterwhite will look into it. Bair said “we have a staffing issue” but said she was very excited to hear that SPD hiring “is picking up in numbers – for a while it was trickling in”; not everybody qualified all the way through the process, but now they have 8 to 10 officer candidates going through the academy and they’re “feeling very positive … we’re moving in the right direction – getting some quality candidates.” Regarding the SW precinct, between the three watches, each one has about 20 people or so “BUT we don’t always have 20 people working at any given time.”
They launched into more detailed discussion of specific houses near the attendee’s block.
(WSB photos)
The SPD personnel working at the Southwest Precinct right now to sort and tag donated clothes are part of a first-of-its-kind donation drive. SPD’s Community Service Officers are often called on to help people in emergency situations with items like clothes, coats, even something as simple as socks … so they’re collecting donations today to be sure they have a stockpile. The Southwest Precinct is the first to do this; some of the donations will be stored downtown to help CSOs assist people all over the city.
At the precinct when we stopped by this past hour were Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite, CSOs Heslin and Huang, and Community Liaison Officer German Barreto. They told us they’re getting a lot of good stuff – they had been out of men’s pants, for example. What do they need most? we asked. Items that aren’t too closely fitted/sized – for example, sweat pants, in sizes that are flexible like small, medium, large, extra-large. Socks and hats are also welcome too. (But no used underwear.)
Satterwhite added that if you’re coming down during today’s drive, which continues until 3 pm in the community room just off the visitors’ parking lot on the south side of the precinct (2300 SW Webster), you’re also welcome to pick up a free steering-wheel lock if you need one.
And if you have clothing to donate but can’t get to the precinct today, email her and you can arrange a dropoff when the lobby is open (her address is on this page). CSO Heslin added that they might be able to pickup donations on Wednesdays, because that’s the day all CSOs work.
Also from last night’s Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council meeting – precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair told attendees that nine people had been arrested in an operation at Westwood Village earlier in the day. She said three stores – Target, Marshalls, and Ulta Beauty – had been reporting particularly egregious trouble with thieves, so they got some extra help to go after the problem. The newfound ability of the King County Jail to book misdemeanor suspects played a role in their ability to do this, Capt. Bair said, noting that six of the nine arrestees were booked into jail. Previously, without the ability to book such suspects, she said, “for a while it was a free-for-all there … today we let them know, that’s not the case.” The department’s General Investigations Unit and Community Response Group were involved, she said, making those nine arrests in three hours. “Those businesses really appreciated it.” We don’t have the suspects’ names yet but SPD says the charges they face include “theft, burglary, assault, and warrants.” (Our report on the major topic of the rest of last night’s meeting, the Unified Care Team, is still in the works.)
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.
A texter asked about a big police response near 18th/Dawson on Puget Ridge at midmorning. Took a while to get the info but here’s what happened, according to police: It was a person-in-crisis call involving a 20-year-old man who was reported to be armed with a knife and threatening at least one family member. He was then reported to be out on foot in the neighborhood, possibly under the influence; police responded, finding him and talking with him. They asked him if he had a knife on him and though he didn’t answer, officers say he eventually took out a sheathed knife – with a four-inch-long blade – and tossed it into grass nearby. He was taken into custody without incident, according to police, for investigation of domestic-violence felony harassment, which the report says is cause for a mandatory arrest. They later also found pepper-spray gel in the suspect’s possession, according to the report narrative. The suspect was booked into jail. No one was reported injured.
Saturday (November 30) is the last day to answer this year’s Seattle Public Safety Survey. Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite says this was the representation from West Seattle neighborhoods as of midweek:
Alaska Junction – 103
Alki – 97
North Admiral – 92
Fauntleroy – 80
Roxhill/Westwood/Arbor Heights – 69
High Point – 56
Morgan – 55
Highland Park – 52
North Delridge – 48
South Delridge – 38
Pigeon Point – 11
(Not all West Seattle neighborhoods are represented because back when they came up with Micro-Community Policing Plans, those were the neighborhoods that had active community council. But you can reply to the survey no matter where you live in WS – just go here. Results – which are anonymous – eventually will be provided to the Seattle Police Department, though Seattle University administers the survey.
(SPD photo)
So how DID that car’s driver end up on a rooftop in The Arroyos just before 3:30 am today? We missed it in real time – it was a busy late-night – but SPD Blotter has just published followup information on the incident in the 10800 block of Arroyo Beach Place SW [vicinity map]. They say the 85-year-old Kirkland woman apparently “mistakenly accelerated forward from her parking stall, causing the vehicle to go over a ledge (and land) on top of an unoccupied parked car.” She wasn’t hurt but was taken to a hospital to be checked out – once SFD crews got her out.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Southwest Precinct‘s commander spoke at the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s weekly lunch meeting today.
Captain Krista Bair, who’s been leading the precinct since summer, told WSB earlier this fall that community partnership is vital. Her interaction with community at this event started even before her speech; a Rotary member talked about how his 22-year-old car had been stolen twice – and recovered (as he told the story, he pointed out it was at the moment parked right outside the lunch venue, the West Seattle Golf Course banquet room) – thanks to an Automated License Plate Reader in Renton the first time. Capt. Bair confirmed SPD cars have that technology too.
Taking the mic at the front of the room a short time later, Capt. Bair said she’s a former West Seattle resident now living in Burien – and she almost immediately launched into Q&A. The first question was about a particularly egregious case and why not everyone was booked into jail; Capt. Bair said, “I’m just as dumbfounded as you are,” and noted that the question related to an incident involving juveniles, but said “I don’t have an answer for you, but don’t give up, as community, come together and collaborate.”
Second question had to do with the car shootings a few nights ago. “I’ve been told we should call in even if others have – right?” The captain replied, “That’s a perfect example of needing the community in order for us to do our work. …. We have certain priorities, bullets being shot are a priority.” But depending on what’s going on, staffing citywide can be “triage,” and she acknowledged that responses can be “frustrating. … each and every time, even if you know other people are calling … it shows there’s a need for resources in that area …” and be patient with the 911 calltakers “trying to get information” so officers can be fully informed.
What about Southwest Precinct staffing? She noted that the precinct has about 80 deployable people. 4 am-2 pm is first watch. The department has arbitrary minimums – if 10 is the minimum for that shift, for example, should they be below that level, they’ll reach out across the city to try to fill the vacancies. Second watch is 11 am to 9 pm, so the first/second overlap is when they usually would have the most people on the street, with a 12 or 13 minimum. Third watch is 7 pm to 5 am. Officers are “augmenting” – filling the vacancies – a lot, she said. Training and time off, among other things, take people out of the mix.
The next person with a question discussed a street encounter and how he learned about the “keywords” the 911 operators pick up. He mentioned a person with a possible gun – and a fast response ensued.
What are the crime stats and trends? the next person asked. Capt. Bair said crime prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite, who had accompanied her, would have to look that up. (Satterwhite said year-to-year stats as of a few days ago showed a 10 percent increase in property crime, while auto theft is down 30 percent in the precinct – and they’re still giving away steering-wheel locks.) But there’s a weekly meeting about “shots fired” incidents, for example, and citywide hotspots are discussed; there are also meetings about trends like the store robberies, and there’s a “plan of action” (apparently beyond the recent arrests).
Next question: Are the juvenile criminals organized, as in gangs, or more random? Capt. Bair said “depends on who you ask” and noted that the Gun Violence Response Unit is really a gang unit too. But while the juvenile robbers are “very organized,” they aren’t necessarily a “gang,” she said.
Next question: What recruiting tools does SPD have available? Capt. Bair said the officers themselves are the best recruiting tool, in her view, “and I tell my officers that on a regular basis.” She said interim Chief Sue Rahr has been a good influence on the process too, as boosting the recruiting has been her top job. They’re also campaigning for lateral transfers – officers who are working somewhere else. She said that it’s not just her 30 years of experience that has her saying she feels the department is excellent – well-trained, and dedicated people.
She also said that Rahr has created a program called “Trust-Centered Leadership,” which includes communication, cultural awareness, and self-care – “the bottom line, the goal is always the same, to serve the people you are here to serve and help.” As an example, she mentioned going to the East Precinct just as it reopened after the CHAZ abandonment. As a lieutenant, she learned some important management skills with that experience, needing to recognize the mindset of the people you’re leading, not just your own. And she again mentioned that Chief Rahr is here just because she is passionate about the work – she came out of retirement to do this, after all. Right now officers don’t have time to do much more than go from 911 call to 911 call but hopefully that will change when staffing increases in the next few years.
Final question, about the 12th/Jackson trouble spot on the south side of downtown – what can the police due about the prevalent drug use and suffering? Capt. Bair replied “continue with enforcement …is the quick answer.” But the questioner said he had never seen any sign of police response. Bair said “getting the right people out there” is the best answer – the city’s CARE team, for example. Mental-health professionals, case managers, others are needed. “We need other partners to assist us with that … right now the CARE department has been phenomenal.” Officers get dispatched too and then hand off to the CARE team members, so they can move on to calls that truly require an officer.
She was presented with a book of nature photographs by Art Wolfe, as a token of appreciation for her appearance.
OTHER ROTARY NOTES: A recent fundraiser brought in more than $1,600 for fighting hunger; the club also will be volunteering at a local food-distribution center in lieu of next Tuesday’s lunch gathering … 19 trees, 3 wreaths, and 2 gift baskets have been donated for the upcoming Festival of Mini-Trees that the Rotary is presenting on December 4.
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