West Seattle, Washington
20 Sunday
With just weeks to go until they move on from Denny International Middle School, headed for high school, dozens of young poets have just put on quite a show. Denny principal Jeff Clark shares photos from last night’s Eighth-Grade Poetry Slam – and this report:
The third annual Eighth-Grade Poetry Slam was a huge success at Denny International Middle School! The event was skillfully emceed by 8th grader Isiah Davis, who introduced nearly 50 Denny Poets. Their words were beautiful, thoughtful, and provoking. Congratulations to our outstanding scholars and their amazing teachers — the power of poetry is alive at Denny International!
One of those teachers, Colin Slingsby, shares his view too, including an observation about a tragedy that touched the 2012-2013 eighth-grade class:
The quality of the thought, writing, and emotion that students invested into their work came through last night as they presented. Many attendees mentioned how moved, touched, and inspired they were by the poetry shared by our 8th grade students.
This year’s 8th grade class was particularly challenged this year by the hardship of losing a classmate and friend Lucie Hernandez, and there were some particularly poignant tributes to Lucie written for this year’s Denny Poetry Slam. The Denny staff and 8th grade Literacy teachers are extremely proud of our students for their bravery and courage in sharing their stories and emotions so powerfully at yesterday’s poetry slam.
You might recall that Lucie was one of two teenagers killed in a deadly in South Park last November; this WSB report from last fall included a tribute her schoolmates created.
Thanks to both Schmitz Park Elementary teacher Alison Aylesworth and West Seattle Food Bank operations manager Steve Curry for sharing the word of a cool event at SP today. First, from Ms. Aylesworth, who also shared the photos:
The second grade team at Schmitz Park: Ms. Noreng, Mr. Wuth, Ms. Veling and Ms. Aylesworth’s classes participated in a food packaging service project for the West Seattle food bank. Each class packaged bags of rice that were labeled and signed by each child participating.
The team bagged 150 pounds of rice!
The students in Ms. Aylesworth’s class were inspired to donate more food in the future, donate hair to agencies like Locks of Love and instead of presents at their birthday parties they would gladly take donations for the food bank!
Way to go, Schmitz Park second graders!
Steve Curry adds, “This event was developed in conversations between the school and WSFB after the wonderful 100-day food drive initiated earlier in the year,” and also notes that the aforementioned “food-drive-related birthday parties are becoming very popular in our community and serve a wonderful dual purpose of teaching positive values to youth while assisting the food bank’s mission.”
3:56 PM: The big emergency response to West Marginal Way/Spokane is for a report that someone might have jumped or fallen off the high bridge. Seattle Fire confirms that’s what was reported to them.
4:27 PM: We are on the high bridge westbound right now. There is a slowdown to 99 because of police cars with a white car on the shoulder at the top of the high rise, blinkers on. A tow truck is getting ready to tow it.
4:33 PM: Two commenters say they saw it happen – someone got out of that car and went over the bridge.
Suicide, while difficult to discuss, is an epidemic – taking five times as many lives in King County as homicide. If you or anyone you know has had thoughts of self-harm, please know there is help available around the clock, via the Crisis Clinic hotline: 206-461-3222.
4:45 PM: Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore confirms that the person found under the bridge “is deceased.” The last bridge death reported here was four months ago.
5:48 PM: The photo we have added above is the crew from the Medical Examiner’s office, arriving in the area just after 5 pm. It is their job to make the official identification of victims and determination of cause of death, and to make sure family members have been notified.
Remember the case of a dog found in a car at Westwood Village? The Seattle Animal Shelter promised to announce when its investigation was finished – and that announcement has just come via this update on its website, The Scoop:
As previously reported in The Scoop, on Sunday April 21, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) removed a small dog, Zipper, from a vehicle in a West Seattle grocery store parking lot. Included in the original police report was a witness statement that the car had been in the same spot for six days, prompting speculation that Zipper may have been locked inside without food or water during that entire time. If this turned out to be true, it would have been a clear case of animal neglect and/or cruelty, which the Animal Shelter, the SPD and the City of Seattle take very seriously.
We received numerous calls from people checking on Zipper’s welfare from as far away as Florida and New York. We sincerely appreciate the public concern and support for Zipper, as it is the mission of the Seattle Animal Shelter to foster safe, healthy and caring relationships between people and animals in our community. However, Zipper’s situation is an example of why it is important for us to be able to conduct a thorough investigation before jumping to conclusions with only limited information.
In case you wondered, we checked with Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor) and yes, the traditional Memorial Day service is on for Monday, 2 pm, in conjunction with American Legion Post 160, which has a Facebook event page for it. (Here’s our coverage from last year.)
A low-key, but high-hopes, sendoff this morning for the West Seattle High School baseball team. Around 9 am, they boarded a bus and headed eastward, bound for Pasco, site of the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association‘s high-school-baseball semi-finals and finals, a trip made possible by their two wins last Saturday. Tomorrow morning at 10, at GESA Stadium in Pasco, WSHS faces Mt. Si. The winner will advance to Saturday’s 4 pm championship game against the victor in tomorrow’s 1 pm game between Kennewick and Auburn Mountainview. (Here’s the official bracket.)
An update from SDOT as Phase 3 of the Delridge Way repaving project proceeds – the next intersection closure is tentatively scheduled to start at the end of next week:
May 31 – June 3: Delridge Way SW & SW Holden Street Intersection Closure
All work is weather-dependent
Most of the intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Holden Street will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, until 6 a.m. Monday, June 3, for roadway restoration and storm drain installation. This work is part of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Delridge Way SW Paving Project that is rebuilding much of Delridge Way SW between SW Orchard and SW Roxbury streets.
For the closure of the Delridge/Holden intersection, the detour will be as follows (see attached map):
· Northbound traffic on Delridge Way SW – Take SW Thistle Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Morgan Street/ Sylvan Way SW/ SW Orchard Street to Delridge Way SW
· Southbound traffic on Delridge Way SW – Take SW Holden Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Thistle Street to Delridge Way SW
During the week of June 3, the roadway will be striped between SW Henderson and SW Thistle streets, the areas of Phases 1 and 2. Street parking will be eliminated and lanes will be temporarily shifted for up to four days while striping is completed
After one year without it, it appears the one-week “mid-winter break” is returning to Seattle Public Schools next year. This year, what had been the “mid-winter break” week was bookended by three-day weekends. But a full week is back in the district’s announcement today of key dates for next year’s calendar – read on for the announcement published on the district website:
(Mark Wangerin photographed the violet-green swallow “in the rain along Longfellow Creek”)
Heading for a 4-day holiday weekend? Many are this year, particularly since school is out Friday through Monday for Seattle Public Schools and others that follow its calendar. Meantime, another busy news day is under way but we’re taking a moment to mention four things from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: Every Thursday, 3-5 pm, you are invited to come join in work parties at the orchard, north end of South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus – details here. (6000 16th SW)
ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY DESIGN TEAM: The group that’s been meeting to shape the new Arbor Heights Elementary before construction begins is scheduled to meet at the school again today, 4 pm. (3704 SW 102nd)
DUWAMISH RIVER IN 3-D: Another unique event that’s part of the final weeks of your chance to have a say in the future of Seattle’s only river – 6 pm tonight at Sandbox Sports, 5955 Airport Way S. in Georgetown – details here.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD: As previewed here last night, the board reviews the 150-or-so-apartment project 4745 40th SW for the first time, 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle; see the meeting “packet” (renderings, info) by going here. (California/Oregon)
NIGHTLIFE: Multiple listings for live music, karaoke, and more tonight – see them in today’s section of our calendar.
9:13 AM: Busy night and morning since this announcement was made at last night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting (details on other items later) but we wanted to share before too much more time passed: Highland Park’s new spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) might open as soon as this weekend! The news came from Pete Spalding, the West Seattleite who chairs the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee. The spraypark is on the site of the former Highland Park wading pool; at one time it was proposed for a very simple spray feature, but Highland Park neighbors led by Carolyn Stauffer, now co-chair of HPAC, campaigned three years ago for a share of the levy’s first Opportunity Fund round, and the city eventually secured the funding for a more extensive project. Sprayparks are considered desirable not just because they’re fun but also because they conserve water better than wading pools and don’t require staffing. We’ll continue checking with Parks regarding the spraypark’s status for this weekend – Saturday is the date when sprayparks citywide are scheduled to start operation for the season; currently it’s forecast as cloudy and showery. (Our photo was taken through the fence after last night’s HPAC meeting.)
ADDED 10:21 AM: The spraypark area also is likely to get some money from the next round of Opportunity Fund spending. We just talked with Parks’ Rick Nishi for details of other items mentioned by Spalding at HPAC last night: The Oversight Committee is recommending funding for better pedestrian access to the spraypark/playground area, and the art project involving the small building at the site is in the plan too. Final approval will have to come from the City Council, but the committee made its recommendations at a meeting this past Monday night. Funding was freed up, Nishi explained, when a project involving improvements for Camp Long cabins had to be removed from the proposal because of logistical/bureaucratic challenges.
12:57 PM: Karen O’Connor from Parks e-mailed to say that while the spraypark is close to completion, they still need inspections that could take up to 2 weeks, so don’t get too excited yet. She adds that its dedication is likely in late July-early August, after artwork is complete at the spraypark.
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:19 AM: Just getting word of a crash on the eastbound bridge. (update) Texters say it apparently involves a scooter rider, and multiple lanes are blocked.
7:32 AM: Emergency personnel are still tending to the scooter rider on the ground. If you haven’t headed out yet, avoid the high bridge – try the low bridge or go through Highland Park or points south to get to the 1st Avenue South Bridge. Feeder routes are reported to be backed up too, especially Fauntleroy to 35th.
7:41 AM: Via Twitter, @jamesmahler says a tow truck has arrived for the scooter, and fire/medic vehicles have cleared, taking the rider to the hospital. Everything we’ve heard so far suggest the incident might only have involved the scooter – other cars were stopped for a while, but those were drivers who pulled over to help.
8:15 AM: The crash scene has since been cleared. We have messages out to both SFD and SPD hoping to find out more, particularly regarding the rider’s condition.
(Photo of scooter-crash scene, courtesy Winston)
8:28 AM: Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore says the rider is a woman “approximately 30s,” not seriously hurt, taken to hospital as a precaution.
9:37 AM: Eastbound Roxbury is blocked by a crash at 14th/15th – car hit a tree; two people taken to the hospital.
10:34 AM: Metro reports buses in the area are back on their regular routes, which means the scene on Roxbury is clear.
Tomorrow (Thursday) night, the Southwest Design Review Board takes its first look at 4745 40th SW, an apartment complex planned right across the street from the Masonic Temple and the southwest edge of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way megaproject.
Its design packet for the meeting is available online – you can see it here. We spoke recently with Suzi Morris from Phoenix-headquartered Alliance Residential, which is buying the property and developing the site, to find out more about the project in advance of the Early Design Guidance meeting.
The site is “split-zoned,” which means the two buildings comprising the project will be different heights:
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
9:18 PM: Another big police/fire response in progress- this time, for a “heavy rescue” call in the 3400 block of SW Roxbury.
9:24 PM: First responders report the person/s got out of the crashed vehicle without needing “heavy rescue” assistance, so it’s been scaled back. Our crew should be there shortly.
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
9:33 PM: A 26-year-old man rolled his car in front of the residential complex at 35th and Roxbury, and he is being taken to the hospital, according to radio communications, as a precaution, though he appears to be unhurt. Alcohol, emergency personnel report, may have been involved.
9:46 PM: Traffic effects – Roxbury is blocked between 35th and 34th. But 35th itself is not currently affected.
(SCROLL DOWN for newest updates – 8:16 pm, video added with Lt. Ron Smith briefing media)
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
5:02 PM: Police and fire are responding to an “assault with weapons” call believed to be a shooting, initially reported in the 4700 block of 38th SW (map), which is just south of The Triangle. The victim is being taken to Fire Station 32, which is nearby. We’re en route. Police are searching the area – radio traffic suggests police believe the victim was shot while walking in the vicinity. More to come.
5:10 PM: Official police info via Twitter – “a man was shot in the mouth.” If you are seeing/hearing a helicopter, it’s TV.
5:14 PM: Per medic discussion on scanner: The victim is a 31-year-old man who was walking his dog when he got hit by a pellet.
5:20 PM: Police were using a bullhorn to try to get someone out of a house on 38th SW. Our crew on the scene reports someone has been cuffed. No formal confirmation yet if that is the, or a, suspect.
5:28 PM: It’s clear from what our crew is seeing and what we hear via radio that police are still trying to sort all this out, regarding the circumstances, and whether the person they were talking to had anything to do with it. Their search remains very active. We’re seeing Gang Unit detectives on scene, though it is always stressed that their presence doesn’t necessarily mean gang involvement is suspected.
5:40 PM: An update on SPD Blotter describes the “pellet” as “possibly (a) BB” and says the victim was hit in the right cheek. Still a very active search/investigation. The injury is described as NOT life-threatening.
6:27 PM UPDATE: Police are reported to be searching the house they’ve been focusing on.
6:33 PM UPDATE: Also via radio – the house is reported to have “checked clear.” (We still have crews at the scene but they’re on each end of the block, as close as anyone will be allowed.)
8:16 PM UPDATE: No updates of note. We’re adding more photos and also this interview with Lt. Ron Smith – who discusses some of what else police found, including damaged vehicles:
The streets in the area are back open as of about an hour ago.
9:04 PM: If you couldn’t play back the video – Lt. Smith says police have no idea what the victim was shot with, describing it repeatedly as an “unknown projectile” that went through his cheek and out his mouth, apparently without even damaging his teeth in the meantime. He told police he didn’t see anyone or anything – just suddenly felt it hit him. Lt. Smith says the search of the house turned up a .22 rifle but it had not been fired recently.
THURSDAY MORNING, 9:27 AM: Just checked back with SPD media-relations Det. Mark Jamieson. He says the “projectile” still has not been found; also, the person who was being questioned was released, no arrest made – this all remains something of a mystery.
Every graduating senior at West Seattle High School has to make a 10-minute oral presentation about the research for their senior project. And those presentations all need judges – with 58 spots remaining as of this afternoon. You can even sign up for two days, over the course of May 28, 29, 30, 31, and June 3 and 4, with presentations between 3 and 5 pm each day. “The latest trend in judging has been to listen with a friend or two and then go out for a nice supper afterwards. Think about it!” says teacher Rebecka McKinney – e-mail her if you might be able to help, ramckinney@seattleschools.org.
(TOPLINE, 4:12 PM: Council discussion’s over; next step, public hearing June 25th)
(Editor’s note: What was the “live” video, above, has since been replaced with archived video of the meeting in its entirety)
We’re in the City Council chambers at City Hall downtown, along with more than 100 people, as the Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture Committee prepares to take up two hot topics – encampments and marijuana.
We’ll be updating live, mostly on the former topic, because of the Nickelsville issue. We also hope to add the live-video window here in a moment (the 2 pm meeting is running a bit late). More to come.
2:13 PM: Public comment is about to begin. Council chair Nick Licata says each speaker will be limited to a minute and a half. First, Rev. Bill Kirlin-Hackett of the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness says he supports Licata’s proposal. “What we all agree about is that we need to keep working on remedies to enable interim survival plans,” he says. Next, a woman identifying herself as a Tent City 3 resident, who says excluding campers from residential areas would be discrimination. “Because I’m homeless, you don’t want me in the residential areas where kids are and stuff like that … (but) I don’t want to hurt kids.” Another Tent City 3 representative speaks next, about discrimination. “We support our friends at Nickelsville and want a good solution to their current dilemma,” but this is not it, he says.
A Nickelsville resident who says she is living there with her son and two cats is next. She says more than 125 people are there now and last summer peaked at more than 180 people. She says conditions and order are OK – except for the lack of running water, sewer, and “little police protection … We are doing great but our preference is to be moved someplace” where they would have such things. She says they “hope to move within next 2 months” without any new city codes and that they oppose the ordinances because they are not necessary.
Another Nickelsville resident, Trace DeGarmo, brings up the newly proposed Nickelsville “Option 7,” which he says would work within the current religious-encampment ordinance. They would move to two sites under control of religious organizations with whom they would sign contracts, he says. “This plan is now entirely doable” and would enable Food Lifeline to take over the current site
He is followed by Carolyn Stauffer of Highland Park Action Committee, who mentions the petition they have circulated with more than 200 names.
“We would like to see you act now and enforce the existing land use codes, because that’s your job … That it’s taken the council two years to have this conversation is shameful and disappointing,” she says, reiterating their demand that the encampment be moved before “it begins a third summer” there.
CLICK AHEAD TO READ THE REST OF OUR DETAILED AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE:
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch: 
First one involves a dog reported as stolen. This dog has been on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page, and its owner is now going public with an added fact – she says it’s missing because it was stolen:
My male black Pomeranian was stolen from outside Bartells at 15th & Roxbury Sunday, May 19 at 5:25p. Last seen with two white females (one adult, one possible juvenile) on the #128 Metro bus heading East on Roxbury. I am devastated! If you have any information please call 206.938.4242 or the King County’s Sheriff’s office 206.296.3311. Thank you!! Reward offered!
Also reported as stolen: Golf equipment taken from Alex‘s car outside his home at Beach Drive and Atlas. He writes, “This is the third break-in this year that I am aware of on my little section of the Dr.; I hope word can get around so that neighbors become more aware, and so that we can all help each other by looking out for thugs like these scumbags that stole my clubs.”
Also, be on the lookout for this bike stolen from Lydia:
It’s a Giant Avail III, stolen from her front porch in the 7900 block of Delridge Way SW on Monday or Tuesday.
P.S. Long-form report from last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is in the works. Two toplines:
-Street robberies are on the upswing – still primarily the type where you’re at risk of getting held up for your iPhone or iPod.
-The most popular brand among car thieves right now is Subaru.
(Map provided by SDOT)
The Admiral Way hill north of the West Seattle Bridge is in for more changes, according to an announcement just in from SDOT. Spokesperson Peg Nielsen tells WSB the changes will “widen the bike lane and existing buffer (to) make it feel safer for people riding bikes and encourage cyclists who might otherwise use the sidewalk to use the bicycle lane. This change will make for an even more pleasant walking experience for pedestrians.” According to Nielsen, this will be facilitated by removing on-street parking on the east side of Admiral south of 3508 Admiral Way (map), and time restrictions are planned to the north:
SDOT has visited the location six times since August 2012. During each visit, no more than five vehicles have been parked south of 3508 Admiral and on average 50 percent of them were cars ‘for sale’. As a result, we do not anticipate the parking change will significantly impact local residents. We’ve also heard concerns about the potential for vehicles to park long-term in front of residents just north of this address (on the east side). As a result, we are planning to limit parking to four hours Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. up to SW Olga Street.
A letter was mailed to residents along this portion of Admiral Way notifying them of our plans. SDOT is interested in hearing their feedback and have invited them to e-mail walkandbike@seattle.gov or call 206-684-7583 by May 31.
The last major round of changes for this section of Admiral Way was back in 2010, when what started as a “rechannelization” proposal was eventually downshifted to “restriping,” including an uphill bike lane and parking removal down the hill, south of City View.
What do you want Seattle Parks to be like in the future – and how do you want to pay for it? Those key questions brought dozens to Dakota Place Park last night to discuss the department’s draft Legacy Plan. As Parks’ Susanne Rockwell explained during the opening presentation, there’s much at stake:
The opening presentation was followed by 2 rounds of small-table discussions after a short presentation, each table focused on a different component of Parks’ operations/accountabilities, and that resulted in butcher-paper sheets full of ideas and suggestions:
Tonight there’s one more meeting about the draft Legacy Plan, focused on issues affecting immigrant/refugee communities, not in West Seattle but all welcome – 7 pm at South Shore K-8 School, 4800 South Henderson.
Next month, a revised draft will be circulated, and a final proposal is expected to go to elected officials before year’s end. Something to say, but couldn’t get to last night’s meeting and haven’t said it already? Say it fast – parkslegacy@seattle.gov
The photo is courtesy of Patty, featuring some of the more than 50 Our Lady of Guadalupe School students who visited Fauntleroy Creek earlier this week to release school-raised salmon fry. Creek stewards and volunteers led by Judy Pickens are wrapping up the spring salmon-release schedule today. Here’s some of what else is happening around West Seattle and vicinity:
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE DISCUSSES NICKELSVILLE, ENCAMPMENT RULES: The council’s Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture Committee meets at 2 pm at City Hall, with two proposed ordinances that are likely to affect the future of the West Seattle encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” – one expanding where in the city encampments would be allowed, one specifically calling for a study costing up to $150,000 as a step toward making the current site semi-permanent, both linked in the agenda. Public comments will be taken at the start of the meeting. (City Hall is on 5th between Cherry and James downtown)
NICKELSVILLE ON HPAC AGENDA: Then at 7 pm tonight, during its regular monthly meeting, Highland Park Action Committee will follow up on the afternoon’s meeting and discuss the claim it has filed as a possible precursor to suing to get the city to take action. The meeting’s at Highland Park Improvement Club. (12th/Holden)
Two school events tonight:
POETRY SLAM AT DENNY: Student poets and their work are in the spotlight during the annual 8th-grade poetry slam at the Denny International Middle School Galleria, 5:30 pm. (2601 SW Kenyon)
‘FINAL AND MOST IMPORTANT’ WSHS PTSA MEETING OF THE YEAR: That’s how the announcement of tonight’s meeting is headlined in the latest Westside Weekly newsletter, edited by Bev Corey, who reminds us this is happening tonight:
Please come to the last PTSA meeting of the year … at 7:00 pm in the school library. Come to recognize the wonderful volunteers and educators who’ve won Golden Acorn awards. And, we’ll be adopting next year’s budget and voting for officers. We’ll have important updates on the West Seattle 5K and auction. And some other good stuff too.
(3000 California SW)
Exploring your career future? One event tonight:
CAREER NIGHT AT PRUDENTIAL: 6 pm at the Jefferson Square offices of Prudential Northwest Realty (WSB sponsor), find out if a real-estate career is for you. Details in the calendar listing. (4700 42nd SW, Suite 600)
To find all tonight’s nightlife listings, check the calendar. Here’s an event that happens just once a month:
POEMS AND STORIES: The fourth-Wednesday poetry/storytelling showcase at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is tonight, 7-9 pm – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Since many schools are taking a four-day Memorial Day weekend this year – Friday through Monday – today will be the second-to-last “regular” commute of the week. So we should also start making note of Monday schedule changes:
*Metro will be on a SUNDAY schedule for Memorial Day
*West Seattle Water Taxi also will be on a SUNDAY schedule for Memorial Day
Hate cancer? Wear purple today.
It’s the American Cancer Society‘s 100th birthday, which is why “Walking On Logs” is decked out in purple. Local ACS supporters are encouraging everyone to do the same, to ‘Paint the Town Purple’ today. And it’s a chance for a reminder about next month’s ACS fundraiser, the annual Relay for Life of West Seattle – this time around, running from 2 pm Saturday, June 29th, until 8 am Sunday, June 30th, at West Seattle Stadium. And besides the always inspiring milestones along the way – organizer Kate Flanagan tells WSB that Relay for Life will include a free concert by popular kid-music band Recess Monkey at 6:30 pm that Saturday. Find out more about R4L at westseattlerelay.com or on Facebook.
(April photo of SPD surveillance camera installed at Admiral Way Viewpoint)
When last we checked with Mayor McGinn‘s office regarding the status of his decisionmaking on whether to give Seattle Police approval to activate the surveillance cameras installed from Fauntleroy to Alki to Admiral and beyond, they told us the ball was in SPD’s court, expecting the department to schedule “additional public meetings” (that quote’s in our March 31st update). Tonight, SPD has finally announced one more meeting: This Friday night, 7 pm, in Ballard. The announcement was made via SPD Blotter just after 8 pm tonight:
Got questions about the Port Security Grant? Missed our meetings in West Seattle and Belltown? Planning a staycation this Memorial Day weekend?
Well then, this opportunity is for you!
Tell us in person. We’ll be at the Golden Gardens Bathhouse, 8498 Seaview Pl. NW, Friday, May 24th at 7 p.m.
Can’t make it? Not a problem. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you can send your thoughts to us electronically. Drop us an email at cameraquestions@seattle.gov
The first two meetings were March 12 on Alki (WSB coverage here) and March 19 in Belltown. Missed the backstory? The “port-security grant” refers to a communication system including dozens of Seattle Police-managed surveillance cameras, funded by a federal grant originally described as being for port security, but since framed in a broader public-safety context. WSB readers were first to notice cameras being installed unannounced, which led to the news being broken here, if you go all the way back to the first story (January 29) in our archive.
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