Dear Community Friends -
At about 1:30pm this afternoon, two suspects, a 22-year-old East African male and a 15-year-old Asian male, forced their way into a home in the 2900 block of S. Holly St. The house in question belongs to the mother of the 22-year-old suspect. The mother and other family members confronted the suspects and both suspects fled the house. After fleeing the house, one or both suspects fired several gunshots into the air.
Patrol Officers and K-9 responded to the area and set up containment. The 15-year-old suspect was captured first with the assistance of a K-9 unit. He was injured by the K-9 during the arrest, sustaining minor bites to his extremities. He was treated by Seattle Fire Department at the scene and then transported to Harborview Medical Center for further evaluation.
The 22-year-old suspect was arrested without incident within minutes of the other suspect. Both suspects were armed. As of this writing, neither weapon has been recovered. Apparently the suspects tossed both weapons in the area prior to being arrested.
Crime Scene Investigators and Robbery Detectives responded to process the crime scene. It is believed that both suspects committed two street robberies in the immediate area and were involved in another weapons incident this morning at about 4am.
If not for community calls to 911 and the quick response of patrol officers and K-9 units, the armed suspects would have continued their crime spree in the area.
Mark Solomon
SPD Crime Prevention, South Precinct
206.386.9766
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Light Rail Testing
As reported in this morning’s Seattle Times, Sound Transit will begin testing link light-rail trains in Rainier Valley on Thursday August 14, adding a new to the traffic on Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. The trains will share streets with cars, buses, motorcycles, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Sound Transit Safety
The Light Rail tracks pass through 18 intersections and 10 pedestrian signals, plus three stations in the median. Trains will run as often as every six minutes in each direction, at a top speed of 35 mph. Although engineers have designed state-of-the-art signals and walkways, the sheer volume of activity makes this a hazardous five miles.
Left turns from MLK are allowed only on left-turn arrows, to reduce conflicts with trains going straight. Electronic signs show a train icon whenever trains are approaching. There are several "Z-crossings," where short fences channel pedestrians and force them to look in the direction of approaching trains. There are refuge islands in the median where people can stand, if they can only make it halfway.
The Sound Transit community outreach team is also available to speak to small or large groups. Please call Carol Doering at 206-398-5095 to schedule a time, day or evening. You may also email her at carol.doering@soundtransit.org. You can also call and/or email to get the safety brochures in the various languages.
Sound Transit Safety
The Light Rail tracks pass through 18 intersections and 10 pedestrian signals, plus three stations in the median. Trains will run as often as every six minutes in each direction, at a top speed of 35 mph. Although engineers have designed state-of-the-art signals and walkways, the sheer volume of activity makes this a hazardous five miles.
Left turns from MLK are allowed only on left-turn arrows, to reduce conflicts with trains going straight. Electronic signs show a train icon whenever trains are approaching. There are several "Z-crossings," where short fences channel pedestrians and force them to look in the direction of approaching trains. There are refuge islands in the median where people can stand, if they can only make it halfway.
The Sound Transit community outreach team is also available to speak to small or large groups. Please call Carol Doering at 206-398-5095 to schedule a time, day or evening. You may also email her at carol.doering@soundtransit.org. You can also call and/or email to get the safety brochures in the various languages.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
South Precinct Email Community Newsletter 8.6.08
Dear Community Friends,
When we send out our informational newsletters and alert bulletins, we want to keep you up to date regarding significant events that impact the residents of the South Precinct. We want to give you a complete picture, not just one that scares you, spurs you in to action or pats us on the back. To that end, we wanted to alert you regarding some significant events that occurred over the past 24 hours.
Significant Events
At approximately 10:30pm on Tuesday August 5th, Seattle Police officers responded to call of someone having been shot at Rainier Avenue S. and S. Graham St. Upon arriving to the scene, our officers found a 15-year old victim lying on the sidewalk on the 6300 Block of Rainier Ave S. He had a single gunshot wound to the lower torso. We located witnesses that were with the victim when he was shot.
Although it uncertain what exactly occurred, we believe the victim, who had a known history of gang and criminal involvement, was confronted by a group of individuals as he was walking home with the witnesses. Supposedly nothing was said and there were no warnings. A single shot was fired and struck the victim. The suspects then fled in an unknown direction. The witnesses were running when the shot was fired and, either did not see, or would not tell us what they saw. The 15-year-old victim died as a result of his injuries. The Seattle Police Gang Unit initially responded but turned the scene over to the Homicide Unit.
Later in the evening, just after midnight, a number of calls came in to 911 regarding shots fired in the area of Othello Park. Upon arriving, officers located a victim who had been shot through the upper thigh and a car that he was using for cover had numerous bullet holes in it. Officers learned that the victim and a friend had been at a local convenience store where they saw a group of males starting to assault a woman. The shooting victim apparently knew the assailants. When he and his friend came to the aid of the woman, the males voiced their anger at the intervention. Not long after this confrontation, this same group of males walked by the victim’s residence, stood across the street from his home and fired several shots, striking the victim and the vehicle. The suspects fled. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. Gang Unit detectives processed the crime scene and recovered 45-calibre shell casings and spent rounds.
Night Out 2008
It may seem incongruent to talk about Night Out Against Crime in the face of the tragic incidents mentioned above. But while these tragic incidents were happening, neighbors from all over the city were coming together. There were over 1000 registered Night Out events throughout the city - the most we have seen in the 25-year history of the Night Out Against Crime. The South Precinct area had 115 registered Night Out events – also the most ever had recorded. Police officers and Firefighters appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality as they tried to stop in at as many events as they could. Whether the group was an long-time established block watch, or just got together for the first time, the important thing was seeing neighbors connecting with neighbors and commit to each other to reduce crime and violence in their neighborhoods.
In looking at these and other incidents that happened on the same day as Night Out, neighbors coming together to support each other is more important than ever.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
When we send out our informational newsletters and alert bulletins, we want to keep you up to date regarding significant events that impact the residents of the South Precinct. We want to give you a complete picture, not just one that scares you, spurs you in to action or pats us on the back. To that end, we wanted to alert you regarding some significant events that occurred over the past 24 hours.
Significant Events
At approximately 10:30pm on Tuesday August 5th, Seattle Police officers responded to call of someone having been shot at Rainier Avenue S. and S. Graham St. Upon arriving to the scene, our officers found a 15-year old victim lying on the sidewalk on the 6300 Block of Rainier Ave S. He had a single gunshot wound to the lower torso. We located witnesses that were with the victim when he was shot.
Although it uncertain what exactly occurred, we believe the victim, who had a known history of gang and criminal involvement, was confronted by a group of individuals as he was walking home with the witnesses. Supposedly nothing was said and there were no warnings. A single shot was fired and struck the victim. The suspects then fled in an unknown direction. The witnesses were running when the shot was fired and, either did not see, or would not tell us what they saw. The 15-year-old victim died as a result of his injuries. The Seattle Police Gang Unit initially responded but turned the scene over to the Homicide Unit.
Later in the evening, just after midnight, a number of calls came in to 911 regarding shots fired in the area of Othello Park. Upon arriving, officers located a victim who had been shot through the upper thigh and a car that he was using for cover had numerous bullet holes in it. Officers learned that the victim and a friend had been at a local convenience store where they saw a group of males starting to assault a woman. The shooting victim apparently knew the assailants. When he and his friend came to the aid of the woman, the males voiced their anger at the intervention. Not long after this confrontation, this same group of males walked by the victim’s residence, stood across the street from his home and fired several shots, striking the victim and the vehicle. The suspects fled. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. Gang Unit detectives processed the crime scene and recovered 45-calibre shell casings and spent rounds.
Night Out 2008
It may seem incongruent to talk about Night Out Against Crime in the face of the tragic incidents mentioned above. But while these tragic incidents were happening, neighbors from all over the city were coming together. There were over 1000 registered Night Out events throughout the city - the most we have seen in the 25-year history of the Night Out Against Crime. The South Precinct area had 115 registered Night Out events – also the most ever had recorded. Police officers and Firefighters appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality as they tried to stop in at as many events as they could. Whether the group was an long-time established block watch, or just got together for the first time, the important thing was seeing neighbors connecting with neighbors and commit to each other to reduce crime and violence in their neighborhoods.
In looking at these and other incidents that happened on the same day as Night Out, neighbors coming together to support each other is more important than ever.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Another Night Out Success - 2008
Thanks everyone, for making NOAC '08 another big hit. It was great to see everyone. Until next time, Lee
Neighbors all over gather for National Night Out events
Neighbors all over gather for National Night Out events
Thousands of residents across the Puget Sound area participated in Tuesday's National Night Out Against Crime, which is marking its 25th year of raising awareness about crime-prevention. Block-watch coordinators organized potlucks, games and parades on their streets, while some communities organized public events at malls and community centers.
Seattle Times Article
Thousands of residents across the Puget Sound area participated in Tuesday's National Night Out Against Crime, which is marking its 25th year of raising awareness about crime-prevention. Block-watch coordinators organized potlucks, games and parades on their streets, while some communities organized public events at malls and community centers.
Seattle Times Article
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Assault on 60-year-old at 9800 block of 61st Ave S.
Dear Community Friends,
We wanted to make you aware of a recent incident. On July 9, 2008 at approximately 7:40pm, a 60-year-old resident from the 9800 block of 61st Ave S was assaulted in front of his home. The victim had been watering plants in the traffic circle on his street. Three females in a vehicle and the victim became engaged in a verbal argument. The argument escalated and shortly thereafter, another vehicle stopped and a passenger (a male in his 20s) got out and struck the victim, causing the victim to fall to the ground. The victim was taken to Harborview with life threatening injuries. The suspect left the scene and is being sought by police.
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Mark Solomon
SPD Crime Prevention, South Precinct
206.386.9766
We wanted to make you aware of a recent incident. On July 9, 2008 at approximately 7:40pm, a 60-year-old resident from the 9800 block of 61st Ave S was assaulted in front of his home. The victim had been watering plants in the traffic circle on his street. Three females in a vehicle and the victim became engaged in a verbal argument. The argument escalated and shortly thereafter, another vehicle stopped and a passenger (a male in his 20s) got out and struck the victim, causing the victim to fall to the ground. The victim was taken to Harborview with life threatening injuries. The suspect left the scene and is being sought by police.
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Mark Solomon
SPD Crime Prevention, South Precinct
206.386.9766
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
South Precinct Email Community Newsletter - July 7th
Burglaries
I had been gone about four hours and when I returned home one day following an appointment. As I entered and looked at how my dining room table was out of place and the cabinet drawers were open, I thought, “I didn’t leave it like this, did I?” As I looked in my office area and found things off the shelves and on the floor, I thought, “How did this happen?” It wasn’t until I went in the bedroom and found that the jewelry boxes had been upended on the bed that I realized I had been burglarized. Forced entry through a locked rear door inside a locked fenced in yard. They stole jewelry, a laptop, my digital cable box, digital camera, cash, DVDs… and they took food out of my freezer.
It Can Happen To Anybody: Don’t Blame Yourself
I understand that queasy feeling that surfaces when you realize that your space has been violated, that someone came into your home, rifled through your dresser drawers and took your stuff. I know first hand the second-guessing, the questioning and the self-blaming. “If only I had done _____.” “Why didn’t I ______?” You have to admit, it is ironic that the crime prevention guy, the one that hammers you with home security tips, gets his place broken in to. It does go to show that; 1) it could happen to anyone, 2) If you have already taken precautions to improve home security, there may be some things you haven’t considered (the BB gun used to break the double-pane glass of the rear door was a new one for me; one that I’ve seen a few times since my burglary), and 3) further improvements could be made.
And since I know you’re wondering, I also waited 3 ½ hours for an officer to respond. The crime was not in progress, there were no witnesses, and there was no suspect information. With other things going on in the Precinct, my non-emergency call could wait.
What You Should Do: Lessons Learned And Reinforced From Me To You
1) Always lock doors and windows when away from the home.
2) Have a home security assessment to see what you can do to improve your home security. This is a free service. Learn from my professional and (recent) personal experience.
3) Take inventory of your valuable items. Make a list of the items, model number, serial number and approximate value. For items that can be engraved, put your driver’s license or state ID number.
4) For those items that cannot be engraved, take a picture of them and have a written description of the item. Do the same with jewelry and include appraisals of the items.
5) Communicate with neighbors. There had been recent burglaries in the neighborhood, so alerting neighbors when an incident occurs makes everyone aware so neighbors can be more watchful.
Night Out Against Crime 2008
Speaking of communicating with neighbors, we encourage you to participate in “Night Out Against Crime 2008” on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. Night Out is a national crime prevention event designed to heighten neighborhood awareness, increase neighborhood anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities. It is a great chance to connect neighbors and share information with each other while learning more about crime prevention.
To register your block for Night Out Against Crime 2008 on line, please use the following link: http://www.seattle.gov/police/Nightout/default.htm.
The 2008 event theme is partnership with the Emergency Management Office to promote the SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) program: More information about SNAP can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/programs/snap/.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
I had been gone about four hours and when I returned home one day following an appointment. As I entered and looked at how my dining room table was out of place and the cabinet drawers were open, I thought, “I didn’t leave it like this, did I?” As I looked in my office area and found things off the shelves and on the floor, I thought, “How did this happen?” It wasn’t until I went in the bedroom and found that the jewelry boxes had been upended on the bed that I realized I had been burglarized. Forced entry through a locked rear door inside a locked fenced in yard. They stole jewelry, a laptop, my digital cable box, digital camera, cash, DVDs… and they took food out of my freezer.
It Can Happen To Anybody: Don’t Blame Yourself
I understand that queasy feeling that surfaces when you realize that your space has been violated, that someone came into your home, rifled through your dresser drawers and took your stuff. I know first hand the second-guessing, the questioning and the self-blaming. “If only I had done _____.” “Why didn’t I ______?” You have to admit, it is ironic that the crime prevention guy, the one that hammers you with home security tips, gets his place broken in to. It does go to show that; 1) it could happen to anyone, 2) If you have already taken precautions to improve home security, there may be some things you haven’t considered (the BB gun used to break the double-pane glass of the rear door was a new one for me; one that I’ve seen a few times since my burglary), and 3) further improvements could be made.
And since I know you’re wondering, I also waited 3 ½ hours for an officer to respond. The crime was not in progress, there were no witnesses, and there was no suspect information. With other things going on in the Precinct, my non-emergency call could wait.
What You Should Do: Lessons Learned And Reinforced From Me To You
1) Always lock doors and windows when away from the home.
2) Have a home security assessment to see what you can do to improve your home security. This is a free service. Learn from my professional and (recent) personal experience.
3) Take inventory of your valuable items. Make a list of the items, model number, serial number and approximate value. For items that can be engraved, put your driver’s license or state ID number.
4) For those items that cannot be engraved, take a picture of them and have a written description of the item. Do the same with jewelry and include appraisals of the items.
5) Communicate with neighbors. There had been recent burglaries in the neighborhood, so alerting neighbors when an incident occurs makes everyone aware so neighbors can be more watchful.
Night Out Against Crime 2008
Speaking of communicating with neighbors, we encourage you to participate in “Night Out Against Crime 2008” on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. Night Out is a national crime prevention event designed to heighten neighborhood awareness, increase neighborhood anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities. It is a great chance to connect neighbors and share information with each other while learning more about crime prevention.
To register your block for Night Out Against Crime 2008 on line, please use the following link: http://www.seattle.gov/police/Nightout/default.htm.
The 2008 event theme is partnership with the Emergency Management Office to promote the SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) program: More information about SNAP can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/programs/snap/.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator