From Wade Tibke -
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I live on 18th Ave S. just south of college. In the middle of the day (this Monday)... three dark complected males in their late teens/early 20s kicked down my front door in broad daylight. One of them stood watch out front while the other two broke down the dead bolted door and proceeded to look through drawers etc. Fortunately three neighbors heard them kick open the door (again the front door at noon)... and called the cops. The cops arrived shortly thereafter. The intruders had been scared off by the neighbors coming out... and as far as I can tell basically only took change. It's amazing how bold they must feel to attempt this. The one on lookout took off very quickly after they busted the door... and the other two ran out the back. I did not speak to the cops (they were gone when I arrived).. but apparently they told one of the neighbors they may have caught one of them. One neighbor actually spoke to the guy on outlook. He told the neighbor that he was looking for his pit bull.
People need to look out for any suspicious activity and call 911 immediately. These people obviously look out of place in the neighborhood.
Thanks,
Wade
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Thursday, February 08, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
South Precinct Email Community Newsletter 2/7/07
Dear Community Friends,
Recent Activity
There have been several reported incidents of Home Invasion Robberies in the Seattle area. In the past two weeks, one home invasion robbery occurred in the Mount Baker neighborhood, one near Othello Park and one in the Lakeridge neighborhood just south of the city limits. The times of when these have occurred vary; two occurred in late evening hours while one occurred during early morning. One of the victims was injured during the robbery. The number of perpetrators has been 2-4 individuals, most likely males ranging in age from mid/late teens – early/mid 20s. The perpetrators were armed in two of the events. Witnesses have not been able to provide definitive suspect descriptions for any of the perpetrators and we do not know at this time if the same perpetrators committed all three robberies. In the Lakeridge robbery, the perpetrators stole the victim’s vehicle, a gray 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, (license # 595-VWS) and it has yet to be located. If you see this car, call 911 immediately. The driver and occupants are considered armed and dangerous.
In one case, the intruders gained entry by forcing open a basement window. In another, intruders knocked on the door and the victim answered and opened the door, even though he didn’t know who they were.
When someone comes to your door, we advise that you answer the door. Let the person outside the door know that someone is home. Since burglars mostly try to avoid someone being home, by letting them know you’re there you may thwart a burglary attempt. Answering the door does not mean opening the door. Always know who’s on the other side of that door before you open it. Even if you are expecting someone, take a moment to look outside and see who is there. If you do not have a peephole, either go to a side window that allows you to see who’s at the door or install one. If you don’t recognize the person, do not open the door. Talk to them through the door. Don’t worry about being rude; this is about your safety, not their feelings. By not opening the door, you keep a barrier between you and the unknown person. You are better protected and have more safety options.
Home Security – What Works
We’re continuing our theme of practical and effective security tips to help secure your home from residential burglary and to make your neighborhood less attractive to the potential burglar.
Recommendations Regarding Doors With Glass Portions:
Doors with glass panels are vulnerable. An intruder could break the glass panel, reach in and unlock the door. Consider one or more of the following options:
• Install a flip latch close to the floor out of arms reach.
• Install a floor bolt on the door, with a bolt that extends at least 1” into the floor.
• If the door has a single cylinder deadbolt – or no dead bolt - consider replacing the installing a double cylinder deadbolt lock. This would require a key to be used to open the lock from the inside as well. Remember to remove the key from the lock and store it away from the reach of the door. Note: per Seattle Fire Code, double cylinder deadbolts cannot be installed in rental properties.
• Cover the window of the door with Plexiglas or decorative grillwork that will prevent an intruder from breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock the door.
• Replace the glass portion with more durable, thicker glass.
• Replacement with a solid door that has some glass in the upper portion, but with thicker, more durable glass and smaller panes.
• Replace the door with one that is solid core with no glass upper panel.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Recent Activity
There have been several reported incidents of Home Invasion Robberies in the Seattle area. In the past two weeks, one home invasion robbery occurred in the Mount Baker neighborhood, one near Othello Park and one in the Lakeridge neighborhood just south of the city limits. The times of when these have occurred vary; two occurred in late evening hours while one occurred during early morning. One of the victims was injured during the robbery. The number of perpetrators has been 2-4 individuals, most likely males ranging in age from mid/late teens – early/mid 20s. The perpetrators were armed in two of the events. Witnesses have not been able to provide definitive suspect descriptions for any of the perpetrators and we do not know at this time if the same perpetrators committed all three robberies. In the Lakeridge robbery, the perpetrators stole the victim’s vehicle, a gray 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, (license # 595-VWS) and it has yet to be located. If you see this car, call 911 immediately. The driver and occupants are considered armed and dangerous.
In one case, the intruders gained entry by forcing open a basement window. In another, intruders knocked on the door and the victim answered and opened the door, even though he didn’t know who they were.
When someone comes to your door, we advise that you answer the door. Let the person outside the door know that someone is home. Since burglars mostly try to avoid someone being home, by letting them know you’re there you may thwart a burglary attempt. Answering the door does not mean opening the door. Always know who’s on the other side of that door before you open it. Even if you are expecting someone, take a moment to look outside and see who is there. If you do not have a peephole, either go to a side window that allows you to see who’s at the door or install one. If you don’t recognize the person, do not open the door. Talk to them through the door. Don’t worry about being rude; this is about your safety, not their feelings. By not opening the door, you keep a barrier between you and the unknown person. You are better protected and have more safety options.
Home Security – What Works
We’re continuing our theme of practical and effective security tips to help secure your home from residential burglary and to make your neighborhood less attractive to the potential burglar.
Recommendations Regarding Doors With Glass Portions:
Doors with glass panels are vulnerable. An intruder could break the glass panel, reach in and unlock the door. Consider one or more of the following options:
• Install a flip latch close to the floor out of arms reach.
• Install a floor bolt on the door, with a bolt that extends at least 1” into the floor.
• If the door has a single cylinder deadbolt – or no dead bolt - consider replacing the installing a double cylinder deadbolt lock. This would require a key to be used to open the lock from the inside as well. Remember to remove the key from the lock and store it away from the reach of the door. Note: per Seattle Fire Code, double cylinder deadbolts cannot be installed in rental properties.
• Cover the window of the door with Plexiglas or decorative grillwork that will prevent an intruder from breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock the door.
• Replace the glass portion with more durable, thicker glass.
• Replacement with a solid door that has some glass in the upper portion, but with thicker, more durable glass and smaller panes.
• Replace the door with one that is solid core with no glass upper panel.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Suspicious Car - Sunday 2/4 6:00 amFrom Brook on 17th and Bayview
If you see a car fitting this description, try to get the plate #.
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Sunday morning at about 6:00 I watched a maroon car (possibly a Prelude -- it was hard to tell) pull up next to our car. The driver stepped out, checked our driver's door and, finding it locked, got back in and drove off. I couldn't tell much about the driver in the dark except that he was male. I called 911 and reported it, then an officer came by in about 10 minutes to get more info.
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Sunday morning at about 6:00 I watched a maroon car (possibly a Prelude -- it was hard to tell) pull up next to our car. The driver stepped out, checked our driver's door and, finding it locked, got back in and drove off. I couldn't tell much about the driver in the dark except that he was male. I called 911 and reported it, then an officer came by in about 10 minutes to get more info.
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FedEx package - was it mis-delivered?
Hi neighbors -
We were supposed to receive a box on Friday Feb. 2nd - but it never arrived.
FedEx did not notify us of its delivery, then suddenly their tracking system
updated on Sunday telling us it had been delivered.
We were wondering if any of you may have received it by mistake.
Our neighbor - Jeannie - has had at least two packages mis-delivered by
FedEx.
It couldbe that it was stolen from our porch, but we both find this
difficult to fathom since we have stuff delivered all of the time.
We actually think FedEx lost it, which also can happen.
Whether it is lost - or stolen - we'll probably never know.
If the crooks who perform the random thefts and break-ins in our hood are
becomming that bold, then alternate delivery methods might be necessary.
I encourage everyone to be on the look out for mysterious folks, wandering
about on foot with large packages.
The package was a pair of land roller in-line skates, which makes it even
odder that they have turned up missing.
Thanks everyone - and take care!
Sincerely, Lee Shaw