Mt. Baker neighbors hit streets to reduce burglaries

Good reading:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003724758_mtbaker28m.html

If you wish to post to the blog, send mail to
beaconcrimewatch.leeshaw@blogger.com in plain text.

Cheers! L.

Bayview House Status Update

Hello neighbors -
Following are paraphrased details that were provided by the Ringo sisters who have spoken to the owner of the Bayview house that caught on fire last sat.

The insurance company wants to get in as soon as possible to assess damage so the house doesn't sit there too long w/ water, etc, and damage the foundation structure. They will have to send the tenant an eviction notice w/timeline to remove belongings. After that point they will haul stuff out. Sounds like that could be taken care of in the next few weeks. Based on my conversation with her, it sounds like they want to rebuild a new little house to rent out.

Insurance company predicted about 6 months until the new building is done. We will see!

Anyway, just thought you might like to know.

Fire Slide Show on Flickr - if you are interested

http://flickr.com/photos/divide/sets/72157600233591607/

Community newsletter - Summertime Security Tips

Summertime Security Tips
During warm weather months, we often see an increase in burglary and theft.
Reasons for this include:

- Windows at residences left open for ventilation when residents are not
home.

- Unattended open garages while residents are working in the yard or have
briefly left the home.

- Unattended personal belongings while at a park or other recreational
venue.

- Unattended personal belongings visible in our vehicles.

Given this anticipated increase, we want to reiterate some summer time
safety tips to help reduce incidents of burglary and theft.

Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened
When you are away from home, close and lock your doors and windows. If you
want to leave windows open enough for ventilation, but not wide enough for
someone to gain entry, use a dowel for sliding glass windows cut to allow
the window to open no more than 4². For double hung windows, consider sash
pins. Some windows have stops installed on the inside track, which will
also prevent the window from being opened too far.

Lock Your Doors
I have seen reports of someone stepping out to the store for a short bit and
leaving their doors visibly open. They returned to find someone had
burglarized the home. Anytime you leave your home, close and lock your
doors. Let¹s not make it easy for the burglar.

Working In The Yard
When working in the yard in the back of the home, do not leave your front
door open and/or unlocked. If you have a garage or storage unit that is out
of your line of sight, be mindful of what are you showing in plain view to
anyone who may be walking or driving by. Close those doors as well.

Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended
Whether they are in a shopping cart or on a picnic blanket, always maintain
positive control over your belongings. Never leave personal belongings
unattended in your vehicle. Seattle has an incredibly high rate of theft of
personal property from vehicles, particularly at public parks.

Home Security ­ What Works
We¹re 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 Sliding Windows & Doors:
· Most sliding windows and doors are designed to be removed from the window
track from the 3/4-to-fully opened position. They should not be able to be
removed from a partially opened position. Installing flat head screws in
the upper track of the window can help. Install the screws high enough for
the window or door to slide freely, but low enough to prevent the window
from being lifted up and out of the track from a partially opened position.
· Use dowels for sliding windows and doors. You can use two sizes of dowels,
one for when the window is in the closed position and one to allow the
window to be opened enough for ventilation (no more than 4²) but not allow
someone to force the window open further to gain entry. We still advise
that you close and lock all windows and doors for any time you area away
from your home.
· Where you have single pane glass windows, consider replacing them with
thermal insulated, double pane windows. They are better for security as well
as the energy efficiency of the home. Yes, this is a high cost fix, but it
is worth it.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Arson - Kind of?

Hi all - as I can imagine everyone is a little shocked, but not really surprised at the outcome of the events from this past Saturday when a fire broke out on the 1900 block of S. Bayview.

While I feel for the occupant (Dan) on many levels, I am hoping that this will be cause for some positive outcome down the road.

I can only imagine how long the property will sit like that, festering, while the irresponsible landlord does nothing. But I am going to hope for the best for the immediate neighbor's sake.

Hopefully we can all at least feel some compasion for Dan, as no one likes to see a person go through something as stressful and demoralizing as a house fire.

Thankfully - no one was injured.

While the police do feel it was arson - they have somewhat assured us that is was not a crazed arsonist that is targeting our neighborhood, so we can all rest easy on this news. I am sure we all pretty much know this, but it is always nice to have it confirmed.

While I was given little information, the police do feel this is potentially an event triggered by Dan's association with the suspect.

Meanwhile - it is still in our best interest to report any suspicious activities involving strangers roaming around our neighborhood...one never really knows for sure. Thanks everyone for being such great neighbors and cooperating when able with the authorities.

Until next time - Lee

Beacon Hill Block Watch Summit

Come share your concerns and successes!

Saturday, May 19, 2007
10 AM - Noon
El Centro de la Raza
Salvador Allende Room
Downstairs, Northeast Corner

* Building a Safe Community: Block Watches Working Together
* Problem Houses and Suspicious Vehicles: Creating Solutions
* The Central Core Alcohol Impact Area and Beacon Hill: Expanding the AIA
* Reclaiming Beacon Hill's Greenbelts: Making a Safe Future for Our Forests

Participants include representatives from the Seattle Police Department, the
Seattle Neighborhood Group, the Seattle City Attorney's Office, and the
Washington State Liquor Control Board.

Updates will include information from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods,
the Seattle Department of Transportation, the Community Court of the Seattle
City Attorney's Office, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and
the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Community Newsletter May 2007

Reporting Crime to the Police

This subject was previously covered some time ago, so we thought it was time to revisit this topic. We need people to use the 9-1-1 system to report crimes that have occurred, crimes in progress, or suspicious activity. Calls for service let us know the crime trends in a neighborhood, where we need to focus our attention, and how we assign our resources.

Call 9-1-1 when:
• When you have a Police, Fire or Medical emergency.
• To report a crime that is in progress, or has just occurred.
• There is a situation that could - or does - pose a danger to life, property, or both.
• There is suspicious activity involving a person(s), or vehicle, that appears criminal in intent.
Please Note: Seattle Police 9-1-1 operators have immediate access to interpreters who can assist in communicating with callers, and TTY machines at every station. Also, if you are reporting an emergency occurring in another city (i.e. you are talking with a family member in Everett and they start having a heart attack) call 9-1-1 to be transferred to the appropriate jurisdiction.
9-1-1 calls from pay phones and cell phones are free.

The Seattle Police Non Emergency Line: (206) 625-5011
Reasons for calling the non-emergency number include, but are not limited to the following:
• You want to report a nuisance, such as a noise or parking complaint.
• To report a non-emergency crime, one that did not just occur, and the suspect(s) are not in the immediate area.
• You have questions about something suspicious occurring in your neighborhood, and you are not sure it is criminal activity.

What To Expect When You Call:
Try to remain patient and calm while the 9-1-1 operator asks you questions. They are trained to ask specific questions to quickly determine what is wrong and what type of assistance to send. Please stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up.

Be Prepared To Answer These Questions:
• Is it an emergency? Using the previous definitions, if the situation is not an emergency, please tell that to the operator up front.
• Your EXACT location: This may not always be the same as where the activity is occurring, but from where you are calling.
• The location of the activity: If you don’t have an exact location, give us the best location you can (near the intersection of Smith Ave. & Jones St.)
• Time lapse: Our response can be based on whether the crime happened five minutes ago, five hours ago, or is currently in progress.
• The exact activity you are reporting
• Suspect Information: Any information you can provide clothing, height, weight, age, direction of travel, etc. will be helpful to the responding officer(s).
• Weapon information. Are there any weapons involved? What type?

Phone Reports
With some crime reporting, you may be asked if you are willing to do a phone report rather than having an officer respond. This frees the officers to respond to other emergency calls.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator