Jan. 9th South Precinct Email Community Newsletter - GOOD TIPS!

Dear Community Friends,

Happy New Year! Over the next few newsletters, we¹re going to include
practical and effective security tips to help secure your home from
residential burglary and to make your neighborhood less attractive to the
potential burglar.

Home Security ­ What Works
Physically securing your home is usually one of the least expensive and most
effective burglary prevention measures. First, lock your doors and windows.
When you are away from home, even for a short period of time, make sure your
doors are locked and that your windows are shut and locked. Burglars look
for an opportunity. An open window or door is an opportunity and I still
read a number of incident reports where the burglar gained entry through an
opened or unlocked door or window.

Recommendations Regarding Your Doors Include:
· Exterior doors should be strong enough to withstand excessive force (i.e.
solid core wood or metal).

· Install good quality dead bolt locks with at least a 1² throw on all
exterior doors.

· Replace the existing screws in the strike plates with screws that are 3-4²
long. When a door is forced open, it is the jamb that splinters and gives,
not the door. By securing the strike plates with 3²-4² long screws, you
secure the jamb to the wall stud. When the deadbolt lock is engaged, the
bolt goes into the jamb and the jamb is now secured to the framing of the
home. This makes it much more difficult for a person to force open a
properly locked door.

· If you have double cylinder deadbolt locks (one that requires a key on
both sides to open it), don¹t leave the keys in the lock, clearly displayed
or within close proximity of the doors. Note: per Seattle Fire Code, double
cylinder deadbolts cannot be installed in rental properties.

· If there is an interior door that separates the garage from the main
living area, consider it the same as an exterior door and adopt the same
precautions; deadbolt lock with a 1² throw and longer screws in the strike
plates.

· The main entrance door should have a door-wide angle (180 degree)
viewer/peephole.

In our next newsletter, we¹ll discuss windows and doors with glass portions.

Be Mindful Who Is Out And About In Your Neighborhood.
Recently in the North Beacon Hill area, a young man (16-20) knocked twice on
a neighbor¹s door at mid-day. The neighbor was slow to answer the door and
assumes the young man thought that no one was home because he started to
jiggle the door handle as the resident approached the door. When the
resident answered the door, the young man quickly asked where the VA
hospital was and soon was on his way. The doorknob jiggle told the resident
that the man¹s story was probably not legit and a police report was filed.
About an hour later, another neighbor a few blocks away had an unknown male
come to the door. He knocked loudly several times and rang the doorbell.
His two friends (one of whom fits the description given of the young man in
the previous incident) waited for him on the sidewalk. When the resident
answered the door, the young man asked for Cyrus. Afterwards, the young man
went on his way. The neighbor found it suspicious, but didn¹t file a report
because there was no overt attempt to gain entry.

What is described above is a typical burglar tactic: find out if someone is
home; if they are come up with some cover story as to why you¹re there; if
no one is home, look for an open door window or make forced entry where you
are least likely to be observed. Two things to keep in mind: First, if it
seems suspicious to you, it probably is. Tell each other and call 911.
Second, you don¹t have to wait for an overt attempt before you act. Trust
your gut.

Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!

Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Emergency Preparedness 2007

We have talked about emergency preparedness usually in the context of an earthquake. This past week has shown us how disrupted our lives become because of severe weather and power outages.

What You Can Do Next Time

Make A
Plan
1. Learn what hazards can cause disasters where you live. Determine your family’s needs and how you can survive these hazards. Consider special needs populations such as people with disabilities and the elderly in your planning.
2. Develop and practice a communications plan (what to do should phone lines shut down. Have an out-of-state contact for family members to call if local lines don’t work)
3. Develop and practice an evacuation plan should you need to leave home.

Build A Kit (In case you have to shelter-in-place at home, work, school or car, have a kit with essential survival supplies)
1. Have a Disaster Supply Kit at home (minimum of three days worth of food, one gallon of water per person per day, a battery-operated radio, flashlight, batteries, blanket, ibuprofen, thermometer, alcohol-based hand wash).
2. Have basic items (food, water, light, first aid kit and a blanket for your car, work or school. Include extra change should you need to use a phone booth).
3. Have special needs items in your kit (supply of needed medications for a minimum of three days, an extra pair of eyeglasses or extra cane, surgical mask, food/water/leash for pets)

Get Involved
Know resources around you, including agencies and groups that provide safety training. Be a resource to someone else who may need help preparing. Remember: during a major disaster we will depend on each other.
1. Get Trained (CPR, First Aid, know and refresh your emergency kit)
2. Help a Neighbor, Help a Friend, Spread the Word (Block Watch, Volunteer)
3. Get Connected with your Community (Citizen Corps, Emergency Management Agencies)

Concerns About Looting
We know of some businesses that were burglarized during the power outage that most likely would not have been otherwise. There were a few residential burglaries, but nothing on a scale that indicates there was widespread crime and disorder. The fear of crime and disorder was greater than the actual incidents. (There was widespread idiotic driving, but that’s another issue.)

Resources
• www.seattle.gov/emergency
• http://www.govlink.org/3days3ways/index.htm
• www.ready.gov
• www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/familyplan.html
Red Cross disaster preparedness information is available in a multitude of languages.

A wise individual (Snoopy, I believe) once said, “The day of the prom is not when you take dance lessons.” In the context of emergency preparedness, it’s meaning is pretty clear: After the storm hits is not when you get ready for it.

Until next time, Take Care, Stay Safe and have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

12/4 South Precinct Email Community Newsletter

Dear Community Friends:

Residential Burglaries

In recent months, the South Precinct has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of residential burglaries. The vast majority of the burglaries occurred mid-day. Many of them have been committed by juveniles. A number of these youth have been identified, contacted and some have even admitted to the burglaries they've committed. Our detectives have been working hard trying to tie the suspects to the actual burglaries, rather than just possession of stolen property. We have had some successes, but it's been tough. Even in burglaries where a person was seen in the house, when a suspect has been picked up, witnesses were not able to make a positive ID. Because we had no other solid evidence on which to hold them, the suspect had to be released.

Often, a potential burglar will knock on the front doors during the day when most people are away at work. If someone answers, they ask for “John” or “Kimberly” or some fake name, then they leave and continue down the block looking for empty homes. When they find an empty home, they go around to the back to look for or try an unlocked window. If nothing is opened or unlocked, they will use force to gain entry (break a window, kick in the door).

We're also noticing an increase in night time/early morning burglaries where people are at home asleep. Someone would come through an unlocked door or force open the door, grab the items that are right by the door (laptops, I-Pods, purses) and rush out before the residents know that someone has been in the house. Occupied burglaries are rare. It is the kind of burglary we fear the most, yet it is one that happens the least. While a few victims have seen the person, no one has been directly confronted or hurt, and the burglar usually runs off rather than confront the resident.

With the holiday season upon us, many of us will be buying or receiving gifts. During this time of year, we also see an increase in residential burglary.

What You Can Do
• Make sure you lock your doors, and windows.
• Don’t just drop your purse/laptop/small electronics/keys right by the door you came in; take them further into the home away from the door.
• Be extra alert and watch for anything suspicious, especially during the holidays when people are often out of town.
• Pay attention to who's out and about in your neighborhood. If you see kids that don't live in your neighborhood walking around and looking around - especially during hours that these kids should be in school - they may be looking for a place to burglarize or a car to prowl.
• If you are home and someone comes to the door, you should answer it. That doesn't mean you open the door. Always know who's on the other side of that door before you open it. Talk to the person at the door through the door. If the burglar knows someone is home, more often than not, they're going to move on. Alert your neighbors to be watchful and call 911 about suspicious people going door-to-door.
• When recycling gift boxes, wait until collection day before you put them out with the recycling. Break the boxes down and turn them inside out and put them at the bottom of the recycle bin if you can. Do not advertise what new stuff you got over the holidays by putting the box the stuff came in out on the curb on recycling day.
The best form of crime prevention is talking with neighbors BEFORE a crime happens on your street. Bad guys know that they probably won’t get away with things on a street where they see neighbors talking with one another.

Until Next Time, Take Care And Stay Safe! Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

New Neighbors!

Please welcome Penny and Chris to our neighborhood (I actually work with Penny and will vouch for her)!
They recently purchased and moved into the home at 2515 19th Ave S. I know they can't wait for the next "Night Out Against" crime party in August!

We are featured on the City of Seattle's Beacon Alliance of Neighbors website!

Check us out! We are "big time" now...


http://www.cityofseattle.net/BAN/index.htm

Also - just an FYI from craig at www.cityofseattle.net/BAN/

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Craig Thompson"
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:12:56 –0800

Hi, Lee! We put a notorious vehicle and drug dealer out of business up along
NW/West Beacon Hill - the Adobe Van, so called for its reddish brown primer.

Neighbor Maria Dasovich (21st & Waite) - home burglary 11.24.06

Just a reminder for everyone to try to remember to look out for your neighbors this time of year (or any time really).

My house (21st and Waite) was broken into on Friday the
>24th during the daytime. Someone forced open my bathroom window. The
>person rifled through pretty much everything in my house but they only
>took my laptop computer. Unfortunately they also went through my file
>cabinet with all of my financial information so I've had to cancel my
>bank cards and place a fraud alert on my credit report. This happened
>sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Friday. I wanted to pass the
>word on so that people can be extra alert and watch for anything
>suspicious.

Take care and be safe!

Lee

South Precinct Email Community Newsletter - Nov. 2006

Pedestrian Safety
The first week of August, we did a newsletter regarding serious pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents. Since that time, we’ve continued to experience tragic pedestrian collision injuries and fatalities.

Tatsuo Nakata, the chief of staff to City Councilman David Della, was struck Tuesday morning, November 14th, and later died from his injuries at Harborview. Wednesday morning, November 15th, a 57-year-old woman was struck by a car near Safeco Field, at around 6:45 AM and was hospitalized with serious injuries. Less than an hour later, an 11-year-old boy suffered minor injuries after he was struck shortly after 7:30 AM. by a school. Mayor nickels announced plans to crack down on speeding and motorists driving illegally through crosswalks.

Based on accident data collected in Washington State since 1993, about 35 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur in the two months between the end of daylight-saving time and the end of the year. Less daylight and blustery weather are likely major factors. However, other reasons for these pedestrian collisions come down to the human factor. As motorists, how much attention are we paying to traffic conditions and pedestrians? As pedestrians, how are we utilizing the street, sidewalks and crosswalks?
Some Pedestrian Safety Tips
• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk and you must walk in the roadway, always walk facing traffic.
• Look both directions before crossing a roadway.
• See and be seen — drivers need to see you to avoid you. Wear bright/light colored clothing or reflective clothing at night so drivers see you.
• Pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers when crossing busy streets.
• Cross streets only at street corners or marked crosswalks or intersections. Crossing at locations that have traffic signals helps motorists see you.
• Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way when crossing mid-block.
• Give drivers ample time to stop prior to your entering the crosswalk.
• Do not run across a dark street to catch a bus; cross at crosswalks or intersections.
• If a car is parked where you are trying to cross, look for drivers who may pull out and not see you as they looking for traffic.
• Remember: Telephone poles, utility boxes and parked vehicles block on-coming drivers ability to see you.
• Turn off your headphones while crossing the street, so you can hear approaching traffic.

Some Vehicular Safety Tips:
• Pay attention to and abide by all speed limits.
• Never pass/overtake a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk.
• Motorists should be on particular alert for pedestrians along school-bus routes, at intersections, and near transit stops and centers.
• Pedestrians have the right of way at ALL intersections, whether in a marked crosswalk or not.
• Always yield to pedestrians upon making turns at intersection
• Use extra caution when backing out of driveways and driving around parking lots.
• Be aware of weather conditions, such as ice, before starting a trip, and allow ample time to travel.

Until Next Time, Take Care And Stay Safe!

Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator