August 25, 2005
Dear Community Friends:
General Noise Complaints
Seattle Police receive numerous noise
complaints on a daily basis. The City has many
diverse neighborhoods; commercial, residential
and those zoned for mixed use. Therefore, a
level of tolerance is expected. If the noise is
illegal, as defined here, police may intervene.
I
llegal Noise
Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) ordinance
25.08.505 states that property under one’s
possession cannot be knowingly used for a
residential disturbance. By city ordinance, it is
unlawful to knowingly cause, make or allow
unreasonable noise which disturbs another and
to refuse or intentionally fail to cease when
ordered to do so by a police officer.
“Unreasonable Noise” includes loud, raucous,
frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds made
by: animals; horns or sirens other than
emergency equipment; motor vehicles being
repaired, tested, etc.; musical instruments or
sound amplifiers; and human voices, amplified
or unamplified. These restrictions apply
between the hours of 10pm - 7am Sunday
through Thursday; 11pm - 7am Friday and
Saturday.
What You Can Do
For an immediate noise problem, we suggest
you initially try contacting the person(s)
responsible for the noise. Often, people are
unaware of the discomfort they are causing
others and if you talk to them about it, that may
solve the issue.
However, if you feel uneasy contacting the
person(s), or if he/she has been uncooperative,
call our non-emergency line 625-5011 for
assistance.
I
f the noise stops prior to the
officer’s arrival, call us back to let us
know. This frees up the officers
responding to that complaint to go to other calls
for service that may be holding. Ask the
operator for the event number and note it for
future reference. Your complaint will be
documented in the computer.
If the noise is a constant, chronic issue, you
should mobilize your Block Watch support
system to start documenting the disruptive
behaviors. Keep a log to note the date, time,
location, type of noise, whether police were
called, attempts to talk with the person(s)
responsible, etc. These logs are powerful tools
that can be used to educate the offending
person(s). Often when people see the severity
of the problem and the nuisance they have
created for the neighborhood, their behaviors
change in a positive fashion.
If the offending parties don’t change behaviors,
then you and your neighbors have the option of
pursing civil nuisance action. How to take civil
action against a nuisance problem or property
will be discussed in an upcoming newsletter.
Police Priorities
Police respond to situations that impact the
safety and well being of people first. Please
keep in mind that a noise complaint is a lower
priority call than crimes against persons or
property, such as an assault or burglary. As a
result, it may be awhile before an officer can
respond, and often by then the noise has
ended. In order to issue a noise violation, the
officer has to hear the noise him/herself. This is
why we encourage you to talk with the offender,
log the activity, and consider civil action as a
potential remedy if all else fails.
Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon
South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Friday, August 26, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Robbery at our Home Last Night
Just wanted to let everyone know that we left our garage door open last night and about 3:45am this morning two young men came into the garage and stole a pump. I got up just in time to catch them loading it and driving away.
Michael and I are grateful that it was just a theft and not someone entering our home.
If you ever drive by and see our garage open late at night please call to let us know at 206-325-9895.
We are usually pretty deligent about this.
Thank you for being such good neighbors!!
Adrienne Caver-Hall
CPT NEWSLETTER #15 From Mark Solomon
June 15, 2005
Dear Community Friends:
If You Encounter This Woman….
This past June, we shared information with you about scams targeting our elders. One scammer in particular has our interest and we need your help to bring her activities to a halt.
A woman using the names “Kim” and “Pam,” (African American woman, about 5’3”, 170 lbs,
about 40 years old), continues to go to the homes of elderly women and uses a ruse to
gain entry into the home or to get money. She has used claims of being a block watch captain,
a new neighbor living around the corner, pregnant, or having car problems. She has used hardship stories to gain sympathy. She has asked to use the phone or bathroom to gain
entry and then asked for or just outright demanded money before she would leave.
At times, she has taken whatever was within reach when the homeowner stepped away to get her a glass of water or money, or was otherwise distracted. This woman has been very active for some time. She has hit neighbors from Columbia City to Rainier Beach. We want to catch her. Badly.
What To Do
- Do not let her - or any other stranger - into your home!
- Do not give cash!
- Call 911!
- Get a good description. Note her direction
of travel.
- Pay attention for any vehicle she may go to. In some cases when we were responding to where she was operating, she got out of the area too quickly to have been on foot.
- Alert your neighbors
Strong Arm Robbery - A Reminder Last summer, the South Precinct area experienced a high degree of strong-armed robberies where our elders were targeted. While we haven’t seen the number of incidents this summer as we did last year, they are still occurring. The typical pattern is for the suspects to approach the victims from behind, take the purse, and flee on foot. As with last year, the victims are primarily elderly women. The incidents we’ve seen to date seem to indicate that these are crimes of opportunity rather than a targeted plan. We want to re-emphasize some prevention measures to enhance your safety.
Spot and Avoid Potential Trouble
· Be aware of your surroundings; know who is nearby.
· Use the buddy system - travel with another person.
· Pay attention to the uncomfortable feelings that often warn us of potential danger. Minimize the Opportunity for Loss
· Carry only what is actually needed.
· Carry only small amounts of cash.
· Take only the credit cards you actually plan to use.
· Leave expensive jewelry at home.
Minimize the Opportunity for Injury
· Your safety is the number one priority!
· Don't resist or try to fool the robber. Carrying Valuables Safely
· Handbags should be closed, carried in front of the body with an arm held loosely across it.
· If wearing a handbag with a strap over the head, choose a thin strap, and wear it under your coat.
· Many women find they don't need to carry a handbag all the time. Place essentials (keys, small amount of cash, I.D.) in a pocket.
Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon
South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Dear Community Friends:
If You Encounter This Woman….
This past June, we shared information with you about scams targeting our elders. One scammer in particular has our interest and we need your help to bring her activities to a halt.
A woman using the names “Kim” and “Pam,” (African American woman, about 5’3”, 170 lbs,
about 40 years old), continues to go to the homes of elderly women and uses a ruse to
gain entry into the home or to get money. She has used claims of being a block watch captain,
a new neighbor living around the corner, pregnant, or having car problems. She has used hardship stories to gain sympathy. She has asked to use the phone or bathroom to gain
entry and then asked for or just outright demanded money before she would leave.
At times, she has taken whatever was within reach when the homeowner stepped away to get her a glass of water or money, or was otherwise distracted. This woman has been very active for some time. She has hit neighbors from Columbia City to Rainier Beach. We want to catch her. Badly.
What To Do
- Do not let her - or any other stranger - into your home!
- Do not give cash!
- Call 911!
- Get a good description. Note her direction
of travel.
- Pay attention for any vehicle she may go to. In some cases when we were responding to where she was operating, she got out of the area too quickly to have been on foot.
- Alert your neighbors
Strong Arm Robbery - A Reminder Last summer, the South Precinct area experienced a high degree of strong-armed robberies where our elders were targeted. While we haven’t seen the number of incidents this summer as we did last year, they are still occurring. The typical pattern is for the suspects to approach the victims from behind, take the purse, and flee on foot. As with last year, the victims are primarily elderly women. The incidents we’ve seen to date seem to indicate that these are crimes of opportunity rather than a targeted plan. We want to re-emphasize some prevention measures to enhance your safety.
Spot and Avoid Potential Trouble
· Be aware of your surroundings; know who is nearby.
· Use the buddy system - travel with another person.
· Pay attention to the uncomfortable feelings that often warn us of potential danger. Minimize the Opportunity for Loss
· Carry only what is actually needed.
· Carry only small amounts of cash.
· Take only the credit cards you actually plan to use.
· Leave expensive jewelry at home.
Minimize the Opportunity for Injury
· Your safety is the number one priority!
· Don't resist or try to fool the robber. Carrying Valuables Safely
· Handbags should be closed, carried in front of the body with an arm held loosely across it.
· If wearing a handbag with a strap over the head, choose a thin strap, and wear it under your coat.
· Many women find they don't need to carry a handbag all the time. Place essentials (keys, small amount of cash, I.D.) in a pocket.
Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon
South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Want to complain about a tenant in a rental property?
TRY THIS LINK!
http://www.seattle.gov/dclu/csc/complaint.asp
I can think of at least one address that falls into this category...
L.
Friday, August 05, 2005
What a Nice Night Out Against Crime!
Thank you everyone! It was a lot of fun to see everyone enjoying themselves on a gorgeous August Night. Thanks for chipping in with saw-horses, food, chairs, and that band! I still don't know exactly what happened there. The band was Marc Smason & the Beacon Hill Orchestra - they play next Thursday at Nana's Soup House for those who are interested. (Plug here) See www.marcsmason.com for more info.
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More seriously here is a contact at the SPD for that blue meth house everyone is so worried about: Sylivia Parker: sylvia.parker@seattle.gov 206.233.1548. She is with the CPT Unit.
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Please feel free to make a post about any criminal activity you see on this site. This will be a much more efficient record for noting funky activity in our area. If you did not get an updated BW list - email me and let me know and i'll send it to you or stop by and drop it off.
Again thanks everyone for being such great neighbors! L.
---------------------------------------
More seriously here is a contact at the SPD for that blue meth house everyone is so worried about: Sylivia Parker: sylvia.parker@seattle.gov 206.233.1548. She is with the CPT Unit.
---------------------------------------
Please feel free to make a post about any criminal activity you see on this site. This will be a much more efficient record for noting funky activity in our area. If you did not get an updated BW list - email me and let me know and i'll send it to you or stop by and drop it off.
Again thanks everyone for being such great neighbors! L.
