West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
1:15 PM: Police and fire have arrived at the scene of a shooting in the 4400 block of SW Hudson [vicinity map]. A woman is reported to have multiple gunshot wounds. Updates to come.
1:27 PM: SPD confirms one victim. No other details yet.
1:45 PM: Police do say there’s “no current risk to the community. … There are no outstanding suspects.” And they say the victim has died.
2:37 PM: Just received an initial briefing from police. They say the woman who was killed was 57. (added) They also say three people were involved, and (corrected) would not confirm that an eviction played a role, but they aren’t saying who did the shooting or whether anyone is under arrest, only that, for now, they’re investigating, and not looking for anyone. Video to come when uploaded.
3:26 PM: Here’s the video, from WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli. The SPD spokesperson is Det. Brian Pritchard:
Det. Pritchard also has posted a short summary – with no additional details – on SPD Blotter.
NOTE: This is the fifth non-vehicular homicide of 2024 in West Seattle, after 15-year-old Mobarak Adam‘s shooting death at Southwest Pool/Teen Center in January, 22-year-old Luis Solis Lara‘s shooting death on Duwamish Head in June, 53-year-old William Tappe‘s beating death in the east Junction area in June, and 32-year-old Laupule Talaga‘s shooting death in The Triangle last week. So far Mr. Tappe’s death is the only one in which an arrest has been reported.
3:19 PM: As we just noted in comments – pending a separate followup story we’re writing right now – the woman who died has been identified as 57-year-old Tamara Towers Parry. SPD says in an update this afternoon that she “presented a shotgun” when two people “arrived at the home to serve paperwork” and that one of them, a 40-year-old man, ” fired his handgun, shooting the woman in the torso.” Police say no one is under arrest and that “all firearms were recovered.”
1:03 PM: Orcas are heading southbound off Constellation Park, reports Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them! (And if you don’t – check out the video and photos of whales in that area over the weekend.)
1:13 PM: Update from Kersti: “Leisurely SW travel. Now visible from Me Kwa Mooks.”
(WSB photo from 2018 Laps With Lou)
For 20 years, now-retired PE teacher Lou Cutler led an annual daylong running/walking event on the field at Pathfinder K-8, raising money for Make-A-Wish, for which he’s volunteered even longer. The event – during which Lou celebrated his birthday by circling the field once for every year of his life – was held during a school day until last year, when it had to move to a Saturday. That just wasn’t the same, so 2023, marking his 72nd birthday, was the last Laps With Lou. But his Make-A-Wish support continues, and he’s found a new way to do it on his feet: This week, he’s going to Boston for a big walk Sunday on the legendary Boston Marathon route. We asked him to tell us – and you – about his plan:
At this time next Sunday, I will have finished the Boston Marathon walk and will no doubt be fully exhilarated that I followed the same path as all the great Boston Marathon runners over the past 100-plus years. The only difference is that instead of finishing where the Marathoners finish, we will finish at Boston Common and I assume that might be due to a traffic issue. The good news is that our course is slightly longer, so I can proudly say that I did a Marathon plus several extra tenths of a mile!!
I haven’t done the recommended amount of training in terms of longer walks, but rather will rely on the inspiration that I receive from my regular interaction with the Make A Wish kids, who are the bravest people in the world who meet daily health challenges head on with maximum effort and a minimum of complaint and through it all are incredibly resilient and superstars!!
As much as I will enjoy myself next week walking the Marathon and raising money for MAW, nothing will ever compare with the joy and thrill of running with the entire Pathfinder student body to benefit Make A Wish for the past 20 years.
As was the case for all the years of Laps With Lou at Pathfinder, there’s a Make-A-Wish link where you can donate directly to Lou’s fundraising campaign to help kids’ wishes come true – just go here.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s your reminder about highlights for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from our Event Calendar, where you can look days, weeks, months ahead
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: First of four days to bring your work to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) for this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase, as explained in our preview. Library hours today are 12 pm-8 pm.
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING: Department-by-department presentations continue at 9:30 am and 2 pm today in council chambers at City Hall downtown. The agenda document includes the slide-deck links for today’s presenters – CARE, SPD, and Human Services. If you’re not going downtown, you can watch live via Seattle Channel.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Long-distance advocacy via handwritten postcards to be sent to voters in other states – drop in 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all welcome.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION DINE-OUT BENEFIT AT MIOPOSTO: Get food/drink from Mioposto (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight, help the Admiral Neighborhood Association keep presenting awesome events! 4-9 pm – details in our calendar listing.
SOUND TRANSIT ‘DROP-IN SESSION’: Questions about West Seattle light rail? Sound Transit is hosting another “drop-in session” – no presentations, just info-boards and Q&A opportunities with ST reps (here’s our coverage of the first one), 4:30-6:30 pm at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) in The Junction.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
(added) DEBATE WATCH PARTY: The vice presidential candidates’ one and only debate is at 6 pm our time tonight, and we just got this announcement:
West Seattle Realty and Good Society are hosting a debate-watch party again tonight. We’ll be playing debate bingo, some prizes and almost certainly enjoying some good laughs. No dogs or cats will be harmed during this event! 6:00 pm at Good Society and of course with sound.
Good Society is at California/Lander.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: All runners welcome! Meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA: Topics tonight, as previewed here, include safety at CSIHS – updates from Principal Ray Morales – and upcoming PSAT/SAT testing. All welcome, 6:30 pm in the library. (2600 SW Thistle)
GET READY! Can you spare 45 potentially lifesaving minutes for a free preparedness party with Just in Case‘s Alice Kuder? Next one is tonight at 6:30 pm at Whisky West (6451 California SW) – our calendar listing has the RSVP link.
GET RAINWISE: Eligible for a rain garden and/or cistern undeer this program? Meet contractors and get info 6:30-7:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Tuesday nights bring Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
OPEN MIC: Your night to shine at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm. (21+)
TRIVIA X 4: Four trivia options Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
HIGH-SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Two 7 pm home matches – Chief Sealth IHS plays Cleveland (2600 SW Thistle), West Seattle HS plays Bishop Blanchet (3000 California SW).
JOE P, LIVE: Live in-store concert by Joe P, 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) – free, all ages.
Planning an event? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Reader photo sent by Andy)
7:31 AM: SFD has a rescue-extrication response arriving at the Admiral Way Bridge, where a crash involves a car on its side.
7:36 AM: Admiral is fully blocked at the bridge – which has been down to two lanes, one each way, for several weeks because of the earthquake-strengthening project. SFD reports one person trapped in the car that went sideways in the eastbound lane.
(Added – texted photo from another reader)
7:39 AM: Firefighters just told dispatch they’ve gotten that person out.
(Added: Vehicle after firefighters cut off top to extricate driver – photo by Christopher Boffoli)
7:58 AM: The Admiral Way Bridge remains blocked both ways and that’s leading to traffic trouble on other access routes to the bridge, according to police radio, until the scene is cleared. Meantime, we’re checking on the crash victim’s condition.
8:06 AM: The driver is being taken to the hospital. According to what medics told the emergency-room doctors on emergency radio, this was NOT a high-speed crash – she was going “25 to 30 mph” when she hit something on the bridge. Meantime, SFD has cleared the scene; SPD is awaiting the tow truck but just let a bus go through.
8:14 AM: Police are now allowing westbound traffic to go through.
8:29 AM: The tow truck has arrived.
8:59 AM: Admiral is now open both ways. (Thanks again to Andy for progress reports.)
9:45 AM: SFD tells us that the driver, an 84-year-old woman, was in stable condition when taken to the hospital.
(Covering Admiral Way car-on-side crash separately here.)
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, October 1st.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Increasing clouds expected today, high in the mid-60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:09 am, while sunset will be at 6:47 pm.
(Monday sunset – photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
ROAD WORK
*No word yet from SDOT regarding any possible lane closures this week for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides later this month. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues too, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Early warning – the Highway 99 tunnel will close for maintenance and inspections 10 pm Friday to 6 am Saturday (and again the following weekend, for longer – 10 pm October 11 to 6 am October 13).
TRANSIT
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here, where you’ll also find information on the fare increases that start today – Fauntleroy-Southworth, for example, full passenger fare goes from $7.70 to $8, while “small car and driver” goes from $10.95 to $11.45.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Two robbers hit the Avalon 7-11 after midnight, according to police radio. No weapons reported, so this was a “strong-arm” robbery; they are reported to have taken cash from the till. Only description – Black, male, teens/early 20s, no taller than 5’7″, black hoodies, one with a blue face mask, one with a black face madk, last seen walking westbound on Avalon.
Even while dealing with an immediate budget shortfall that might lead to school closures, Seattle Public Schools is moving ahead with renewal/expansion plans for two levies, the operations levy and the capital levy (BEX). The recommendations for both are currently scheduled to go before the School Board next week, at its October 9 meeting, and some information already is available via the early version of the meeting agenda. They are both proposed to go to voters next February.
The biggest of the two is the six-year BEX VI capital levy, proposed for $1.8 billion, up from the $1.4 billion voters approved in 2018 in its predecessor BEX V. This one includes many projects around the district; the biggest in our area would be a $50 million addition for Chief Sealth International High School, described only as “CTE addition” (Career and Technical Education). The board resolution also mentions smaller local projects including $1 million for fire-alarm work at Highland Park Elementary and athletic-field work at district-owned Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex and Denny International Middle School. (The spending breakout starts on page 7 of the resolution.)
We haven’t yet found documents with full details on these projects; the process leading up to this list has included a lot less public involvement than the previous capital levies. BEX V, in comparison – the levy that funded the Alki Elementary rebuild and West Seattle Elementary expansion, among other things – had myriad public planning meetings, WSB archives show.
As for the Educational Programs and Operations levy, it’s proposed for $673 million over three years; the one that’s expiring raised $646 million. The text of this resolution has not yet been added to the board agenda. The page for the current EPO levy says it provides funding for some staff, support programs, athletics, and the arts. That page also noted, “Local levies, which must be approved by Seattle voters, provide 15% of the SPS operating budget.” We’ll be following up with the district for more information before the board meeting.
P.S. The board has a special online meeting tomorrow to consider extending superintendent Dr. Brent Jones‘s contract.
8:47 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the 5900 block of 39th SW [map] for a crash involving a vehicle reported to be on its side. Updates to come.
8:50 PM: The vehicle on its side is said to be a pickup truck that went sideways after hitting a parked vehicle “at high speed,” dispatch has told officers.
8:53 PM: Responders on scene confirm the driver is trapped in the truck and will have to be extricated.
8:57 PM: The driver is reported to be a suspect police were seeking in an earlier domestic-violence incident.
9:07 PM: Firefighters have finished cutting him out of the truck.
(Added: Reader photo)
9:22 PM: He’ll be taken to Harborview.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: The driver, 39, was in critical condition when transported, SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB.
Thanks for the tip on one more incident of note today, early-morning gunfire at the 7-11 at 16th/Holden. We just obtained the summary from SPD:
On 9/30/24 at 3:01 a.m., patrol officers responded to a report of an attempted armed robbery at a 7-11 in the 1600 block of Southwest Holden Street. When they arrived, they spoke with the victim; he was not injured.
According to the officer’s report, the door was locked for cleaning when the suspect(s) arrived in a dark sedan. The clerk was in the back room when he heard a disturbance at the front door. When he went to the front of the store, a possibly teenage male produced a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at him.
The clerk ran for cover and hid in the back of the store. The suspect attempted to gain entry by using some firewood to break the door window open but was unsuccessful. He then fired multiple rounds inside of the store causing damage. The clerk did not sustain any injuries from the shooting.
The suspect fled the area in the vehicle and was not located. Multiple shell casings were recovered from the scene. Video footage was also collected as evidence.
Detectives with the Robbery Unit have been assigned to this case. This is preliminary information and is subject to change as they complete their investigation.
The initial description, according to archived police-radio audio, was “possibly Hispanic teenage male, face mask, dark down jacket, dark jeans, black shoes.” If you have any information, the police tipline is 206-233-5000, and the incident # is 24-277630.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
ARSON INVESTIGATION: In our coverage of a small fire at a vacant house in Westwood on Saturday night, we noted that SFD’s investigator had requested police assistance. Today SFD confirms the fire was determined to have been “intentionally set.” No other information so far but if you have tips for investigators, the SPD incident # is 24-276472.
TRUCK BREAK-INS: Sent by a reader:
On 1600 block of 42nd Ave SW and on Palm Ave SW, we had vehicle prowls last night with windows broken out and one vehicle we know of had the ignition punched out. From what we heard from other neighbors urther north on Palm Ave, it appears that these criminals are only targeting trucks. Other vehicles were not touched. The vehicles on 42nd and Palm hit were all trucks. We know for sure of 6.
CAR BREAK-IN: Sent by Katie:
We live on SW Grayson near 51st and someone went through our unlocked Honda Accord last night, parked on the street in front of our house – nothing to take except there might have been some loose small amount of cash.
Saw at least 3 cars with smashed out windows along 49th on our way to/from school at Schmitz Park/Alki Elementary.
Artists of all skill levels and talents are invited to be part of the annual Southwest Artist Showcase at Southwest Library. The four-day window to bring in your creations for display starts tomorrow – here’s the invitation we received today:
It’s that time of year again: the 32nd annual Southwest Artist Showcase is gearing up for October 6 – November 4! This free, month-long event features artists from all over west and southwest Seattle.
We welcome submissions from people of all ages and experience levels for our non-juried, non-profit showcase. Submit up to 3 pieces of art between Tuesday, October 1 – Friday, October 4 at the Southwest Branch during our open hours.Artwork will NOT be offered for sale at the Library. All works must be picked up by 6pm on Sunday, November 10. You may have another person drop off (or pick up) your art. If you have an easel or display structure that you’d like us to use to display your work, please bring them along with your art.
Please note: we strive to display all submitted works, as space allows. Some works may not be included if their size or construction prevents their effective display in the library. Library staff will determine the placement and display of each piece, and artwork will not be moved once it has been placed.
For more information about the Southwest Artist Showcase, please visit spl.org/southwestartistshowcase or call the branch at 206-684-7455.
The branch is at 9010 35th SW; its hours are listed here.
12:54 PM: Verizon customers in multiple states have been reporting service interruptions today. At least some are in West Seattle – reader Katie told us via email that she had been out since 7:45 am and others in her neighborhood’s online group reported the same. It’s not universal – our hotline (for which we use Verizon mobile service) is still working – but the outage is believed to be affecting thousands. Verizon says only that they’re working on it; the FCC says it’s aware too.
2:17 PM: Update from Verizon – “Verizon engineers are making progress on our network issue and service has started to be restored.”
Highland Park Improvement Club trustee Kay Kirkpatrick sent that photo from early this morning, as demolition of HPIC’s fire-gutted building began at 12th/Holden. As previewed here last night, this is a long-awaited step toward rebuilding, 3+ years after the fire. It’s still bittersweet for onlookers to see a century of history come down in a matter of hours; several were watching – including Kirkpatrick – when we stopped by less than an hour ago.
(This photo and next two by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
(added) Thanks to Scott Bessho for this video from right before we arrived, when the entry-side facade came down:
The Fed Excavation demolition crew is making fast work of the building; that’ll be followed by debris-clearing. Kirkpatrik says one challenge this morning was dealing with a ton-and-a-half steel beam. Its fate hasn’t been determined yet; some of the old timber from the building will be reclaimed. As will the site, in the interim time before its replacement is built (fundraising continues) – Kirkpatrick says a work party will be planned to clean it up and beautify it a bit once the building debris is gone.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s our highlight list for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CITY DEPARTMENTS PRESENT THEIR BUDGETS: The City Council’s review of the 2025-2026 budget proposal continues all day today, with sessions at 9:30 am and 2 pm. Right now they’re getting individual departments’ presentations; scheduled today are the Office of Sustainability and Environment, SDOT, Parks Department, and the Department of Early Learning and Education. Their slide decks are all linked on the agenda, which explains how to comment. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.
BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!
SPORTS: The Chief Sealth International High School girls’ soccer team (4-1-2) hosts Evergreen HS from White Center at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 3:30 pm.
FOOD TRUCK IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Neighbors want you to know there’s a new location for the rotating weekly food-truck visit, 4000 block of SW 107th.
FAMILY FUN – FREE DINNER AND A MOVIE: Come enjoy dinner and watch “Inside Out 2” (trailer above), with a discussion afterward, at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), 5:30 pm – free, RSVP requested, link and more details are in our calendar listing.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play as the week begins – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All are invited to free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community also hosts Monday night meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley in back of Bonjour Vietnam is open – tonight you can listen to live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
SING! 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Last time we published a photo of prescription eyeglasses found by a reader, it turned out they had been stolen in a car prowl … on Lake Union. Somewhere out there, whether via car prowl or simple misplacement or some other unforeseen circumstances, somebody is missing these glasses, and the finder is hoping to return them:
A nice pair of glasses was found on Sunday afternoon 9/22. They were in the middle of the road at SW Charlestown and 53rd SW, but luckily they were not run over. They are gold-rim prescription glasses in a hard black rectangle case.
The finder has posted myriad other places, including the Lost/Found/non-pets board in our Community Forums, so this is one last try. Email westseattleblog@gmail.com if yours & we’ll connect you.
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, September 30.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
So far, this week’s forecast looks promising. Today: Sunny, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:08 am, while sunset will be at 6:49 pm.
SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT & OTHER ROAD WORK
*After another abbreviated weekend work session, we’re awaiting this week’s schedule for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project – for which SDOT tells us a “bit” of work remains to be done.
*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides, likely in mid-October; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
TRANSIT
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat,” now available on weekends too. Check for alerts here, where you’ll also find information on the fare increases that start tomorrow (Tuesday, October 1).
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Looking at the week ahead: Chief Sealth International High School‘s PTSA will host its first general meeting of the school year on Tuesday night (October 1). Michelle Riggen-Ransom from the PTSA says the agenda has two major highlights: Principal Ray Morales will talk about school safety, and Academic Intervention Specialist Rachel Evans will answer questions about the upcoming PSAT and SAT testing sessions. All are welcome, not just parents, teachers, and students, but also interested community members; the PTSA meets in the CSIHS library, 6:30-8 pm.
Three biznotes tonight:
REOPENING: Azuma Sushi (4533 California SW) reopened Saturday in The Junction, as its now-retired founders said it would, when they announced they were selling it to a longtime employee. The restaurant is now offering dine-in service, for the first time since pre-pandemic. It continues to be open Mondays through Saturdays.
LISTING: When we reported the sale of 2358 California SW – the commercial building formerly owned by Wells Fargo, which closed its branch there back in March – we noted that it was expected to stay as-is rather than being redeveloped, at least in the short run. Now we have confirmation – leasing broker Jason Miller, first VP at Kidder Mathews, tells WSB that the ex-bank space is now officially listed (here’s the flyer) and that they’re seeking a “long-term tenant.”
FEATURING: Every month, HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) features a local business or nonprofit, and ends the month with a drawing that bank visitors entered. This month, HomeStreet has been featuring Northwest Art and Frame, and Dan Reiner – who’s owned the shop for 50+ years! – visited this past week for the drawing, giving away a $100 gift certificate to his shop:
The October spotlight at HomeStreet will shine on youth-soccer organization Highline Premier FC. Stop by during bank hours to enter the monthly drawing!
(Photo by Peter de Lory, courtesy HPIC)
“Things are now ready for this big step in our rebuilding process.” So said Highland Park Improvement Club trustee Kay Kirkpatrick, announcing that the long-awaited demolition of what’s left of HPIC’s century-old building will finally start tomorrow (Monday, September 30). It’s now been three and a quarter years since the fire that ravaged the community-owned building, an epicenter of events for decades, even a community food hub during the pandemic. Back in July, HPIC held a farewell event, planned before they had discovered they’d face unexpected delays, “some additional asbestos found that had to be removed by Eco Environmental Services,” Kirkpatrick summarizes. But now they’re ready to get going with the teardown at 7 am Monday: “Metis Construction is our general contractor, and Fed Excavation is handling the demo.” HPIC is still raising money to pay for the replacement building, so the construction timeline isn’t finalized yet. (A city grant is helping with demolition costs and “site preservation” so the 12th/Holden site [map] can be used for events before construction.)
One day after a close pass caught on video and in photos, you have another chance to see orcas from West Seattle. Kersti Muul texted to day some are northbound passing Alki Point right now.
(Reader photo, Mounted Patrol at Alki Beach, 2023)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
As city councilmembers dig into Mayor Harrell‘s budget proposal, they have a West Seattle-specific cut to consider:
14 years after the Seattle Police Department last tried to disband its Mounted Patrol Unit, the last one in the region, based next to Westcrest Park in southeast West Seattle, the unit is on the chopping block again, as a way to save just under a quarter-million dollars from an SPD budget that is proposed to jump from $395 million this year to $457 million next year.
A reader called our attention to this by forwarding a letter that Mounted Patrol members have drawn up, pleading for help to save what’s left of “the last Mounted Patrol Unit in the Pacific Northwest.” More on that in a moment. First, here’s what we found in the budget itself: The proposed cut is on page 362 of the mayor’s full citywide budget plan, sent to the City Council last Tuesday:
Remove Support For SPD’s Mounted Patrol Unit
Expenditures $(230,030)This item eliminates General Fund support of the department’s Mounted Patrol Unit (MPU), including 1.0 FTE Equipment & Facilities Coordinator, three unbudgeted part-time temporary maintenance laborers, and associated operating costs. Sworn positions currently assigned to the MPU will continue to be funded by the General Fund but will be reassigned elsewhere in the department.
(WSB photo, 2023)
The unit has only two sworn positions assigned to it; as explained to us during an “open barn” at MPU HQ last year, if they need more help, officers are temporarily reassigned from elsewhere in the department. At the time of our visit, the unit had six horses plus mini-horse Li’l Sebastian.
In the new budget proposal, this is the only SPD service/unit specifically called out for cutting, The increased spending in the SPD budget (page 359) includes $10 million more for overtime to fund “emphasis patrols” (no geographical specifics but in the past these have included extra officers for summer nights on Alki), $2 million for the “Real-Time Crime Center,” $2 million for “scheduling and timekeeping software,” and $1.2 million to add more school-zone speed-enforcement cameras (of course eventually expected to pay for themselves).
(WSB photo, Morgan Junction Community Festival this past June)
The Mounted Patrol’s mission has changed over the years; when the unit was proposed for disbanding in 2010, its crowd-control attributes were discussed; more recently, its major function has been community relations. That’s pointed out in the support-seeking letter that was sent to us. See the full letter here; the text is as follows:
Loyal Supporter,
We need your help!Horses have been a cherished part of the Seattle Police Department for almost 150 years; with the modern inception of the Mounted Unit being established in 1973 with eight horses, seven officers, and one sergeant. Today it is diminished to 1 dedicated sergeant and 1 full time Officer with civilian support barn staff, and it is the last remaining Mounted Patrol Unit in the Pacific Northwest.
In its early years, the Unit’s primary mission was to patrol the 5,000 acres of City parks. Its secondary mission was crowd control and management during largescale events. In the 1980s the unit further evolved, with patrol duties expanded to include the downtown waterfront business districts and residential areas, in addition to the 5,000 acres of City parks.
Today the Unit’s heart and soul is its commitment to the communities of Seattle and beyond, helping build a bridge between community members and law enforcement by not only patrolling neighborhoods, parks and the downtown Seattle corridor, but also through its participation in countless community events and celebrations. As a secondary, but no less important mission, the Seattle Police Mounted Unit is an integral part of honoring fallen law enforcement officers for a myriad of surrounding agencies, providing a longtime, honored tradition of the Riderless Horse for all line of duty death memorials across the Pacific Northwest.
To the point of our letter, we are having a moment of de ja vu. The Seattle Police Department has announced its intention to close the doors of this treasured piece of heritage. It is with a heart-wrenching plea that we write to you today, begging you to help rally the troops, warm up your voices and help us save our unit, the last Mounted Patrol Unit in the Pacific Northwest. Once it is gone, there is no bringing it back, ask the Portland Police Department. You’ve done it before when budget shortfalls at the City put the MPU in jeopardy in 2010, and we need you to do it again!
Help us by spreading the word to other community members and Mounted Unit supporters. Write letters to the Chief’s office, including all the Assistant Chiefs and Deputy Chief, beseech City Councilmembers, share your stories that include the Mounted Unit and our beloved Police Horses, make them see that we are more than a line item on a budget sheet, that our impact goes beyond today, that we are an integral part of One Seattle.
Warmly,
Seattle Police Mounted Patrol Team
Various contact addresses are listed on the letter‘s second page.
Back in 2010-2011, when then-Mayor Mike McGinn‘s budget called for cutting the Mounted Patrol Unit, the nonprofit Seattle Police Foundation came forward with funding to save it. That support lasted for a few years; in 2014, as we reported at the time, then-Mayor Ed Murray‘s budget restored general-fund support, calling the unit a “valuable public service.” (The police budget for 2015 was $298 million.) We’ll be contacting the SPF about the new unit-cutting proposal; it has continued to provide some support for the MPU, as we noted in this story last year.
(WSB photo, 2023)
Other questions so far include what would happen to the unit’s headquarters in Highland Park if the Mounted Patrol is indeed disbanded. Its upkeep has included a significant amount of community volunteer work, including beautification of the grounds. We’ll be following up.
WHAT’S NEXT: The proposed budget is now in the City Council’s hands to review and shape before a final vote in November. Right now the council is hearing department-by-department overviews; SPD is scheduled to make its presentation during the council session starting at 9:30 am Tuesday (October 1). The agenda includes a public-comment period, as do most other council meetings; the first budget-specific public hearing is set for October 16.
ADDED 2:24 PM: SPD has published a statement this afternoon about its plan to disband the unit. The statement says in part that “as SPD continues to recover from loss of hundreds of officers over the past four years, we have to carefully prioritize how to use existing scarce resources. The highest priority is maintaining the ability to respond quickly to emergency calls, and effectively investigate dangerous criminal behavior so the community is protected. This requires that we reduce resources for work that does not directly support these two priorities.”
We haven’t received reports of anyone here feeling it, but an email alert this morning revealed a 3.0 earthquake just across Puget Sound from West Seattle. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network map shows the 7:49 am quake was centered 16 miles below the surface, about three miles northeast of Bremerton. According to PSNS’s quake-history map, this is the first one of note in the central Puget Sound area since the last one mentioned here on WSB, back in February (estimated at 3.6 but later changed to 3.4).
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