Recent Arson Activity
On Thursday, June 14, 2007, South Seattle experienced several arson
incidents. At approximately 6:45 pm, fire was set to the Japanese
Presbyterian Church (1800 Block 24th Ave S). While Arson investigators were
at the scene, materials in a dumpster on the 1700 Block of 22nd Ave S. were
ignited. Approximately 10 minutes after that, a sofa was set ablaze behind
some businesses on the 2000 block of 21st Ave S. All of these incidents are
under investigation by Arson and Bomb Squad detectives; three people of
interest have been identified. Additionally, at about 10 pm Thursday night,
a home on the 1500 Block of 25th Ave S experienced a fire that appeared to
start in the basement portion of the home. Patrol officers did detain a
person of interest near the scene, but it cannot be proven that the house
fire was deliberately set, nor that it was related to the other fires that
occurred in the vicinity.
On Friday, June 15th, Arson and Bomb Squad detectives conducted a stake out
of the U-Haul location on the on the 2500 block of Rainier Ave S. For about
five weeks, this U-Haul location had experienced a number of car prowls,
thefts and small fires being set in the engine compartments of their
vehicles. As a result of the stakeout, the detectives arrested the
individual responsible. It has not been determined if this individual is
responsible for the arsons that occurred the previous day.
You may recall two arsons occurred early April 2007 in the Columbia
City/Hillman City area. These two arsons are still open investigations.
What You Can Do
Except for the house fire on the 1500 Block of 25th Ave S, all the fires
were started using available combustible materials present at the location
and were ignited with a hand held flame. To help prevent arson, we offer the
following tips from the Seattle Fire Department:
· Lock doors and windows of your home, garage and car.
· Remove weeds and grass from around your home.
· Remove any trash, boxes or wood stored next to your home.
· Lock up gasoline or other liquids that could be used to start a fire.
· Trim bushes away from doors and windows.
· Leave outside lights on when it is dark.
As always, if you see suspicious activity, report it to 9-1-1 while it is
happening.
Independence Day Celebrations
Another safety reminder we want to give you is regarding fireworks. City of
Seattle ordinances prohibit the sale, possession, use, or discharge of all
fireworks within city limits (including parks). Emphasis is placed on
fireworks because of: the potential of Injury to persons because of
carelessness or maliciousness; damage to property, and; the danger of fire.
Last year, the Seattle Police Department implemented Fireworks Emphasis
Teams to enforce the fireworks ban. Expect to see them this year, enforcing
the fireworks ban, confiscating them and arresting violators. Don¹t say I
didn¹t warn you.
Night Out 2007 Reminder
Finally, a reminder about National Night Out Against Crime 2007. It is
Tuesday, August 7th. To register your block or group for Night Out on-line,
go to www.seattle.gov/police/Nightout/Default.htm
<http://www.seattle.gov/police/Nightout/Default.htm>. If you want to close
your street off, you can indicate that on the registration form. The
deadline to register your group for Night Out is Friday, July 27th.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
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