South Precinct Email Community Newsletter

Dear Community Friends:

Graffiti
Graffiti is marking, drawing, etching (or other methods) on public or private property without the owner’s permission, usually done by a person or group seeking recognition. Graffiti is a crime of Vandalism as it results in property damage. Several months ago, we reported there had been a marked increase in graffiti vandalism. Unfortunately, graffiti incidents have been on the rise, which is why we are revisiting this issue.

“Tagger” graffiti (writing the name or “tag” of the individual who put it up) represents the majority of the graffiti on our streets. However, we are also seeing increases in gang related graffiti (gangs “laying claim” to territory or sending a message to rival gangs). This increase in both tagger and gang-related graffiti has been noted city wide, not just in South Seattle. In fact, the North Precinct has had nearly four times as many incidents of graffiti vandalism in the first quarter of 2008 than the South Precinct has experienced. This vandalism occurs mostly in the later evening/early morning hours.

Most of us feel more afraid about the gang graffiti because of the intent behind it. The key is that graffiti needs to be removed regardless of it being gang related, a tag or a mural piece. It’s still property damage and needs to be treated as such. The motive behind the graffiti is not important; removing it is.

Report Graffiti
· If you see graffiti vandalism in progress, call 911. Graffiti vandals must be caught in the act to be prosecuted.
· When graffiti appears, whether on your private property or on city/government property, make a police report. Call the Seattle Police Department’s non-emergency number, 206-625-5011.
· Call the City’s Graffiti Hotline (206) 684-7587, to report graffiti on public property (street signs, retaining walls, poles, traffic control boxes, parking meters, bridges, mailboxes, etc.), or graffiti that has not been removed from private property. Be sure to indicate the exact location.
· When graffiti appears on your home, apartment building, or business, take a photo of it to document for insurance purposes.

Who’s responsible for the increase? The bottom line is that graffiti vandalism is being committed by our youth, not by outsiders. Know who your children are hanging out with and when. If they are spending many late night hours somewhere other than home, find out where and ask yourself why. Know what they are doing. If your kid has several cans of spray paint, find out what they’re doing with it. Hold them accountable.

What follows are some graffiti prevention tips and resource information. This information is courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities. Seattle Public Utilities is the City agency responsible for addressing litter, illegal dumping and graffiti complaints.

Resource links are provided on the left of this page.

Be Safe, Mark Solomon

Update - shooting and groper

From my police dept. source:

"...the shooting was about a guy who just couldn't let go when his girlfriend dumped him for another guy. Dude went looking for them and he found them at the Beacon. It didn't matter where he found them, he would have done it. They just happened to be at the Beacon. The regular patrons of the Pub are like a family and the owner really makes an effort to keep riff raff out and to be a good neighbor."

That said, keep going to the pub if you enjoy the bar as much as I do.

"As far as the Groper, it's a misnomer to call him the Beacon Groper for a couple of reasons:
- the attacks have been all over the place, not just Beacon. In fact there have been more on/around Rainier.
- Also, there may be more than one guy doing these. There have been some on First Hill as well."

And with that, just be aware of yourself, those around you and your surroundings. Be safe and stay well -

If the neighbors want to meet, we have not in a while, let me know and I can set something up!

Cheers! L.

Shooting at the BEACON PUB - What is up?

y BRAD WONG
P-I REPORTER

A woman and two men were shot and wounded inside a Beacon Hill tavern late Friday night and the gunman remains at large, Seattle police reported.

The shooting happened around 11:15 p.m. inside The Beacon Pub, near the intersection of Beacon Avenue South and South Hanford Street.

"We've never had a problem," said the owner's mother, Laura Francis. "This is a shame. ... With all her heart, my daughter tries to keep the bad out of here."

Francis said she had heard from pub workers that the gunman was sitting at the end of the bar near the restrooms. When a woman walked out of them, he pulled his gun and fired at least three rounds before he took off, she said.

It was unclear if the people he shot were his intended target.

A 27-year-old woman, who was shot in the chest, and a 37-year-old man, shot twice in the torso, were both in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center, police spokeswoman Renee Witt said.

The second man, 28, was shot in the right knee.

Witt said investigators do not know what led to the violence and have not been able to link the gunman, believed to be in his 20s, to the victims.

The shooting occurred during one of the pub's popular karaoke nights that had drawn a crowd of about 50 people. But even in the crowd, one pub worker told Francis the man looked familiar.

But the woman who was shot and the 28-year-old man "stated that they did not know the suspect, the shooter, and did not know of a possible motive," Witt said.

Investigators have not yet talked with the 37-year-old victim because he was being treated at Harborview Medical Center.

Francis said her daughter, Laurie Lusko, called her after the shooting, saying, "Hurry up! Get over here, please. Someone had a gun and shot people."

By the time she arrived, police had already descended on the neighborhood pub.

"Ambulances were coming like crazy," Francis said.

The 66-year-old woman said pub workers believed the suspect might have been jealous of his girlfriend, who was there with a man.

"People today are so angry," she said.

The gunman may have been drinking, Francis said, because police inspected a shot glass at the bar. They also dusted the bar for fingerprints.

Francis does not believe the shooting is related to violence that has occurred inside or outside larger Seattle bars and clubs. Mayor Greg Nickels has been pushing for city licensing of nightclubs, hoping that could limit the violence.

Lusko has owned The Beacon Pub since 2000, her mother said.

In the past, there have been a few obnoxious patrons and minor scuffles, Francis said, but never this type of violence.

The tavern is waiting for recently-ordered security cameras to arrive, she added, and Lusko wants employees to take security classes to help with spotting and resolving problems.

The pub is in a Beacon Hill neighborhood that also has a hair salon, shipping office, restaurant and stores. Inside, a pool table sits in the back and televisions sit above the bar. Neighbors said local bands often play inside on a small stage.

But The Beacon Pub's biggest draw are its regular karaoke nights on Wednesdays and Fridays that attract patrons outside of Beacon Hill, some from Ballard or even Puyallup.

As news spread through the area Saturday morning, neighbors dropped by to ask what happened and to give owner Lusko their support.

"It's a great local pub. I think now and then you get a stray cat that wanders in," said neighbor Bryan Traversari, 37. "It could have happened anywhere, at a parking lot. I don't think it was because of the crowd."

Neighbor Keri Jones, 40, stood outside the pub Saturday morning. She planned on patronizing it when it opened in the afternoon to support Lusko.

"I'm sorry it happened here," Jones said. "I hope the pub doesn't have to pay for someone else's action."
P-I reporter Brad Wong can be reached at 206-448-8137 or bradwong@seattlepi.com.

Troubles at the Beacon Pub? Friday Night Shooting

A woman and two men were shot and seriously injured when a man opened fire for unknown reasons in a Beacon Hill tavern Friday night, Seattle police reported.

The woman, 27, and a 37-year-old man were in stable condition Saturday evening after undergoing surgery at Harborview Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said.

The woman was shot in the chest and the man was shot twice in the torso at The Beacon Pub, 3057 Beacon Ave. S., according to police spokeswoman Renee Witt. A 28-year-old man, shot in the knee, also was being treated at Harborview.

Witt said two of the victims "stated that they did not know the shooter and didn't know of a possible motive." The third victim, the 37-year-old, was not immediately interviewed because he was being treated at the time.

South Precinct Email Community NewsletterDecember 13, 2007

Crime Prevention During The Holidays

During the holiday season, we often see a spike in certain crime types. For example, neighbors have reported that they have had packages (gifts for others) delivered to their home only to find that the packages were stolen off the porch. Others have had items stolen from their cars. While car prowl is nothing new, it does seem to escalate when there are packages clearly visible in the car.

This extended newsletter focuses on safety and security during the holiday season. These recommendations will hopefully reduce your risk of being a crime victim during this time of year.

Prevention Tips While Shopping

· Take a friend along when doing holiday shopping. Using the buddy system reduces your chances of being a victim of robbery.
· When paying by cash, only take out the amount needed and keep the remainder out of view. It¹s always a good idea to carry minimal amounts of cash, regardless of the time of year.
· Don¹t tempt a thief by leaving your purse, wallet or packages unattended. It only takes a second to grab them.
· Beware of strangers who bump, shove or get too close. Pickpockets may use these diversions to lift your wallet.
· Be cautious of those you don¹t know who offer to carry bags and packages
for you. Depending on where you shop, store personnel or mall security may
offer assistance in carrying packages to your car or escorting you to your
vehicle.
· If you have to return to your car to store purchases, place them in the trunk out of sight. Do this when you get to your car, rather than waiting until you park at your next stop. Gifts and other valuables should never be left in clear view.
· Before returning to your car, make sure you¹re not over-burdened with packages. Have your car keys in hand to avoid ³searching² for them when you reach your car.
When Using an ATM
· Only take out the amount you need, rather than the maximum you can get.
· Don¹t walk away from the cash machine counting your money. That¹s an invitation to someone who may not have the best of intentions in mind.
· Beware of strangers hanging around the ATM. Wait until they leave, or consider using an alternate cash machine. You should report suspicious people to bank personnel, mall security and/or police.
· Secure your money and your bankcard or credit card back in your wallet or
pocket before leaving the ATM.
· Always keep your PIN number separate from your bank and/or credit card.

Prevention Tips At Home
· Don¹t openly display your Christmas tree and gifts in the front window so
it¹s easily visible from the street. You increase the possibility that a burglar will be tempted to gain entry and steal the gifts.

· When disposing of the packaging in which gifts and other purchases come, realize that when you place these out for recycling or trash collection, those boxes sitting out on the curb on collection day give a passer-by a pretty good indication of what¹s in your home. Recycle the packaging, yes - but break the boxes down first, put them inside out so the exterior writing does not show, and don¹t put them on the curb until collection day.
· If you have ordered items and are going to have them delivered, consider having them delivered to your place of business rather than your home. This reduces the opportunity for packages to be left unattended on your porch and therefore an enticing target for thieves.
· Burglars often enter through unlocked doors or windows. When exterior Christmas light extension cords are run inside through a window, this prevents the window from being secured, and this unsecured window is visibly noticeable. Consider installing an inexpensive exterior outlet for your holiday lights so you don¹t provide an opened and unlocked entry to your home. Traveling Away For The Holidays
·Let your trusted neighbors know that you plan to be out town so that they can watch your home for you. If they see suspicious activity while you are gone, they will know to call 911 for you.
· Have the Post Office hold your mail.
· Don¹t leave descriptive telephone answering machine messages, such
as; ³You¹ve reached the Wilson¹s. We¹re away skiing for the holidays and won¹t be back untilŠ.² Strangers don¹t need to know your schedule or that your home is going to be unoccupied for an extended length of time. Bad guys love to hear that they have plenty of time to break in and ransack your home.
Holiday Parties
· If you will be hosting a party, establish a guest list and greet your
guests at the door. Be careful when opening your home to ³uninvited
guests.²
· Balance the desire to want to show off your valuables and treasures
with security consciousness. Put easily portable valuable items out of
sight. This will reduce the threat that they may be stolen. Also, with those items stored away, your guests won¹t inadvertently mention the priceless items they have seen to others.
· If you are going to be serving liquor, do it responsibly! Have a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages to offer. Serve coffee, tea and water as the party winds down. No one really needs ³One for the Road.²
· If a friend has had too much to drink, insist on making other arrangements for getting them home safely, or offer to let them stay overnight. Remember: Drunk Drivers are dangerous to themselves and others.
· Do Not Drink And Drive Yourself! If you attend a Holiday Party and over indulged, take a cab, have someone give you a ride home, ensure you have a designated driver, or impose upon your hosts to let you stay there and rest a while. Better for you to crash on their couch than into someone else.

A Word On Charities

Be cautious of those going door-to-door collecting for charities. Ask to see an ID that identifies them with that charity. Never give cash. Please report suspicious people. If your instincts tell you ³something is not right,² it probably isn¹t. Call 911 or our non-emergency number (206) 625-5011 to report the incident.

We wish you a happy and joyous Holiday Season. Peace, prosperity and good health to you and yours this Season and in the coming New Year.

Take Care and Stay Safe!

Mark Solomon, SPD South Precinct Crime Prevention

Scammers posing as Seattle City Light collectors

Seattle Times ­ 12.04.07
Seattle City Light is warning its customers about telephone con artists
posing as utility bill collectors.

A City Light customer reportedly received a phone call from someone claiming
to be a City Light employee. The caller claimed there was a problem with
payment of the customer's bill and demanded credit-card information to
resolve the matter.

The scammer appears to be targeting the elderly and customers who may have a
primary language other than English, according to City Light. "We do not
make outbound calls to customers asking for money to pay their bill or to
ask for personal account or customer information as part of our daily work,"
said Carol Dickinson, director of account services.

City Light never asks customers over the telephone for credit-card
information to pay their bills, according to the utility. And City Light
does not call customers on weekends. Seattle City Light employees carry
identification with the City Light logo and will always display it when
asked.

Customers are advised to take down the name and telephone number of anyone
who calls and represents themselves as a City Light employee.

South Precinct Email Community Newsletter - 11.29.07

Sexual Assaults
A pattern of actual or attempted sexual assaults against Asian women has been noted in the South Precinct area. They date back several months, the most recent occurring the morning of November 28th. The frequency of the assaults has increased, as has the level of aggression as the suspect has progressed from groping from behind to attempting to drag the victim away to continue the sexual assault.

The assaults have most often occurred as the women have exited a Metro bus and are on their way home or on their way to the bus in the morning. The suspect has attacked along routes served by the Metro bus routes of the 7, 32 and 36.It is possible that the suspect rides the bus with the victims and follows them off or watches bus stops. The events have primarily happened during the weekday with the majority of assaults occurring on Tuesdays & Wednesday. While the vast majority of events occurred during evening hours, a few of the attacks occurred in the early morning hours.

The suspect has been described as a black male, late teens to early 30s, 5’9”, thin to medium build, medium to dark complexion. The suspect often wears a hooded sweatshirt or otherwise attempts to conceal his face. As the suspect often attacks the victims from behind, distinct suspect information has been lacking because often the victims do not get a good look at the suspect.

An additional complication we face is that many of the victims have been reluctant to speak with detectives in the Sexual Assault Unit to provide further information. In some cases, where the suspect grabbed the woman’s rear, the victims didn’t feel it was serious enough to report because “all he did was grope me. No big deal”

Additionally, many victims have not responded to detectives’ requests for additional information or victim statements, making it difficult to obtain definitive suspect information or identification.

Given this, it is possible that more attacks and more serious assaults have occurred, but have not been reported. This is extremely troubling because the suspect is increasing his frequency of attacks and the attacks are becoming more aggressive. If allowed to continue, we expect the attacks to become even more violent.

We need to identify this individual and get him off the street.

What You Can Do
LOOK AT THESE SAFETY TIPS: personal safety tips from SPD

REPORT IT!!
We urge anyone who has been the victim of a crime to be as forthcoming and cooperative as possible with the responding officers and investigating detectives. Any additional information can be helpful in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator(s) of the crime. Conversely, not disclosing information for whatever reason (thinking it’s no big deal, shame or embarrassment, cultural pressures and considerations) can hinder the investigation.

If you have any information which may help us identify and apprehend the individual, please contact Detective Keith Savas of our Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 206.684.5361, email: keith.savas@seattle.gov

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