Car Prowls
We are seeing an upward trend in the number of car prowls in the South Precinct area. They seem to be up in almost every neighborhood – Beacon Hill, Georgetown, Rainier Beach, along Lake Washington, along the commercial corridors of the Precinct. Most common items taken include backpacks, cell phones, GPS navigation systems, credit cards, cash, and IPods.
For some time we’ve advised members of the community that Car Prowl is one of the most pervasive property crimes in our region. It is also one of the most preventable: don’t leave items of value in your car. The number of backpacks, laptops digital cameras and IPods that are being left in – and then stolen from – cars, let’s us know that we need to do more to reinforce this message.
Car prowl, like most crime, is a crime of opportunity. If you remove the opportunity, you remove the crime. Removing items of value from our vehicles reduces the opportunity. Part of the response to these crimes is we as car owners doing our part. When we as car owners stop leaving our property in our unattended cars, we have less incidents of car prowl.
We are not blaming the victim. At the same time, we are saying that we need not feed the problem by leaving valuables in our vehicles in plain sight to lure potential prowlers. Let’s not make it easy for these criminals. We should do our part to reduce the opportunity for these crimes to occur. We do that by removing items of value from our car.
Burglaries
We saw an increase in residential burglaries over the warm weather months. This is not unusual. We often see a spike in the number of burglaries via unlocked /open windows during the summer because we tend to leave windows open for ventilation and then leave the home. As the weather has cooled, the number of burglaries has decreased.
Recently, we’ve noted several incidents of burglars using ladders to gain entry to unlocked second story windows. The burglars are using ladders that have been left unsecured by neighbors. An example: Mr. Jenkins had a ladder lying in his driveway, but it wasn’t locked up. Burglars took the ladder and put it up against Mrs. Johnson’s house and got in a second floor bedroom window. After they got what they wanted, they went to Mr. Santos’ place and went in a second story window there.
What You Can do
• Close and lock all doors and windows (even second story windows) when you are away from home.
• Please secure all tools - including ladders - to ensure they cannot be used to gain entry into your (or someone else’s) home. Use a chain and padlock to secure the ladders (not just to themselves); secure them to a post/railing/banister, etc.
• Engrave your valuables with your driver’s license number so that it can be identified in the event of theft. Engraving property is also a deterrent; if thieves see the property is engraved, they are less likely to take it. For those items you cannot engrave, take a photo so you can positively identify them. This includes GPS systems, IPods, digital cameras, etc.; not just TVs, DVRs and laptops.
• Whether you engrave the item or take a picture of it, record the serial number of the item for positive identification. Make an inventory list of your valuable items; keep it someplace secure.
• Do not leave valuables in your unattended vehicles.
• Report the crimes! We often hear that car prowls are no big deal. However, theft from a car is still a theft. Police need to know about the thefts and need to be alerted when neighbors see suspicious activity. Without that reporting, police cannot respond.
Until next time, Take Care and Stay Safe! Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
The South Precinct has experienced two home invasion robberies in as many days
Please be very aware at this time - if something does not seem right, call the police.
On Monday, September 1, 2008, at approximately 3pm two suspects entered a residence on the 3900 block of South Lucile Street and robbed the female occupant who was home with her children. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun. The suspects, described as Black males, took the victims’ purse, which contained car and house keys. The victims sustained no injuries in this event.
At approximately 10:40 am today (Tuesday, September 2, 2008) two suspects, described as one tall Black male and one Asian male, made forced entry of a residence in the 2300 block of 24th Avenue South. The suspects were armed with a handgun. The victim was sleeping when the suspects gained entry to the home. The suspects assaulted the victim, rifled through the house and stole jewelry, cash and other items, before fleeing the scene. The victim was later transported to the hospital for her injuries. The identity of one of the suspects is known and police are actively working to locate him.
At this time, it is unknown if the two home invasion robberies are connected.
Mark Solomon
SPD Crime Prevention, South Precinct
206.386.9766
On Monday, September 1, 2008, at approximately 3pm two suspects entered a residence on the 3900 block of South Lucile Street and robbed the female occupant who was home with her children. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun. The suspects, described as Black males, took the victims’ purse, which contained car and house keys. The victims sustained no injuries in this event.
At approximately 10:40 am today (Tuesday, September 2, 2008) two suspects, described as one tall Black male and one Asian male, made forced entry of a residence in the 2300 block of 24th Avenue South. The suspects were armed with a handgun. The victim was sleeping when the suspects gained entry to the home. The suspects assaulted the victim, rifled through the house and stole jewelry, cash and other items, before fleeing the scene. The victim was later transported to the hospital for her injuries. The identity of one of the suspects is known and police are actively working to locate him.
At this time, it is unknown if the two home invasion robberies are connected.
Mark Solomon
SPD Crime Prevention, South Precinct
206.386.9766
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
08-19-08 - forced entry at 2900 block of S. Holly St.
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
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
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