Tis the season for water rescues. Seattle Fire Department's Ladder 11 was just at Mee Kwa Mooks running a rescue drill.
Alki Community Council Meeting Tomorrow Night
May 20, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Alki Community Council General Meeting
Thursday, May 21st from 7 to 8:30 PM
Alki Community Center, 59th Ave and Stevens
Topics:
Update on Alki Crime Situation by Lt Steve Paulsen, Operations Officer, Southwest Precinct
Update on Alki's Wildlife Habitat Day at the Bathhouse, Saturday, May 23rd from 11 to 3 PM
Southwest Precinct Public Safety Newsletter
May 3, 2009 by Leave a Comment
April 30, 2009
Dear Community Friends,
Warmer Weather
Burglaries In The Spring
The Seattle Police Department is taking a proactive approach in alerting its citizens to certain crime trends that have occurred throughout our City in recent years. Unfortunately, spring is the time when warmer weather brings burglars to your block.
Suspects, posing as legitimate workers, approach homeowners (especially the elderly) at their residence with the intent of gaining entry under a seemingly legitimate role: local gas company, water department, cable company, tree trimmers, pavers, County inspectors, or government officials. One suspect will distract the homeowner while a second suspect will enter the home and search inside for valuables and cash.
Another type of ruse used to gain entry into the home is for a suspect to knock on the door and ask for a pen and piece of paper to leave the victim's neighbor a note. The suspect may appear to have difficulty writing the note, and will ask to come inside the house. Once inside the victim's house, the suspect will ask the victim to help write the note. As the suspect keeps the victim occupied, others enter the residence to remove money and valuables.
A variety of vehicles have been associated with these subjects including pick-up trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.
Be particularly alert to anyone in your neighborhood looking to perform home repairs, or asking to gain entry into your home. Be sure to ask to see identification and let them know you are going to call and get authorization from their company before allowing them access. If they are legitimate, they won't mind the wait.
Remember:
q Do not open your door to strangers, but rather talk through the door.
q Call 911 immediately about suspicious persons and activity. Alert your neighbors.
q Post a “No Solicitors” sign on you door. Handwrite the sign until you buy one.
Protect Yourself From Home Improvement Scams
Warmer weather signals the arrival of things pleasant – like spring, and unpleasant – like burglars and con artists. We urge you to take precautions to safeguard your homes and property against these unwelcome visitors.
To prevent the chances of being victimized, residents are urged to observe the following precautions:
q Keep doors and windows locked when inside your home or working in yard – even if you will be out for only a short time.
q Request identification from utility representatives – true representatives carry it and will gladly show it to you. Call their company for verification.
q Only rarely will legitimate home improvement companies solicit door-to-door. They usually distribute fliers or make phone calls – it's more cost effective for them.
q Never pay in cash. Using a check keeps a record of the transaction and often provides identification of the person cashing the check.
q Beware of excuses such as "We just finished a job around the corner and had extra materials that we could offer you at a discounted price." Professional companies do not operate in that manner.
q Call police immediately if you notice someone unfamiliar to the neighborhood or acting suspiciously.
Be aware of various ruses that have been used to gain entry, including posing as utility representatives, asking for a drink of water, looking for property that is for sale, or selling home improvement services. In the past year, victims have been working in their yard while suspects entered through unlocked doors.
PDF Version of Newsletter: Download Southwest Precinct Public Safety_Newsletter April 30 2009
Southwest Precinct Public Safety Newsletter
March 31, 2009 by Leave a Comment
March 31, 2009
Dear Community Friends,
Recent Burglary Arrests
In recent weeks, Southwest Precinct officers have made significant burglary arrests. In one case, a neighbor saw burglars leaving the victim’s house and running into another house on the block. Based on an alert neighbor’s observation the police were able to make an arrest. In other words, watchful neighbors can help the police catch burglars. When Police catch suspicious persons of interest in the area near a burglary, they are thankful to have watchful neighbors who can identify the suspect/s as the burglar/s. Suspects are detained by officers and identified by witnesses.
After burglars are arrested and the number of burglaries drops, we can assume they are responsible for some of the past burglaries. Arrested burglars may confess to one or two burglaries, but most will not confess, so our detectives have to prove they were in the victim’s house. The recent arrests will help us close the books on a few burglaries.
We want to emphasize that these burglars were caught because of alert and involved neighbors.
· Those who saw suspicious people walking into a neighbor’s backyard and called 911.
· Neighbors who actually saw the burglars in their neighbor’s home and called 911.
· Neighbors who were willing to go with police to positively identify the suspects they saw.
These recent arrests prove that vigilance works. Be observant and pay attention to what’s happening in your neighborhood and who’s out and about in your area. For those of you who work from home or are home during daylight hours, take a look around every now and then and see what’s happening on your street and alley. Being conspicuously alert makes potential offenders nervous and will tend to make them seek a place where they have less risk of being seen, identified or caught.
We want to thank you for helping us get these burglars off the street.
Home Security Tips
· Close and lock all doors and windows (even second story windows) when you are away from home.
· Trim shrubbery around the exterior of your home or business to improve lines of sight (to make it easier for your neighbors to see activity at your place).
· Reinforcement of the doorframe by replacing the screws in the strike plates and one screw per hinge with 3 to 4-inch wood screws.
· For French doors, ensure they have floor and ceiling bolts that extend at least one inch into the floor and the upper doorframe, respectively.
· 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.
Resources To Keep You Informed
Police Blotter, http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/
Subscribe to SPD: Crime Blotter http://feeds.feedburner.com/SeattlePoliceSouthwestPrecinct
Police Blotter, Megan Sheppard,
West Seattle
Herald
West Seattle
http://www.westseattleherald.com/news/police%20blotter/
West Seattle
Blog, Tracy Record, Editor
West Seattle
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?page_id=4988
Seattle Police Department main web page
http://www.seattle.gov/police/
Southwest Precinct Web-page
http://www.seattle.gov/police/Precincts/Southwest/default.htm
Seattle
Seattle
http://www.cityofseattle.net/police/crime/stats.htm
For More Information Call: Benjamin Kinlow,
Crime Prevention Coordinator, (206) 684-7724 or email benjamin.kinlow@seattle.gov. Check out www.seattle.gov/police/precincts/southwest/prevention.htm
Did You See a Bicycle Accident on Friday?
March 1, 2009 by Leave a Comment
A West Seattle Blog reader is trying to find out what happened to her friend who was in a bicycle accident around 4100 and Beach Drive on Friday.
"He flipped over his handlebars, hit pavement, cracked his helmet, and, fortunately (given what could’ve resulted), is escaping with a broken collarbone and a concussion that has given him a headache but will eventually go away. Because of the concussion he doesn’t really remember what happened before or during (or for that matter, immediately after) the accident."
For more info, read the rest at WSB by clicking here.
Warning: Beach Drive Homes “Cased” by Phoney “Window Salesmen”
February 13, 2009 by 2 Comments
I received theses tip from Beach Drive Neighbors:
Around the corner of Jacobsen and Beach Drive, a few police officers stopped by her house this afternoon [2/12] and asked if she had noticed anyone "casing" their house or had there been any unusual activity near her house. She had just woke from a nap and was surprised to see them but alert enough to tell them that she did have an unusual experience last night [2/11]. A couple young men came to her door at 7pm selling windows, when she said she was not interested they asked for cookies, when she said she had none they asked for a glass of water, she closed the door and got them a water cup to go. When she returned with the cup one man was there and the other was not…
another neighbor reports that:
they stopped by his house as well and clearly were not window sales people.
Just a reminder that we need to look out for each other. If you notice anything suspicious, call 9-1-1.
A big thanks to the neighbor who notified me of this activity.
Latest Southwest Precinct Safety Newsletter
January 9, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Get your copy by clicking here:Download Southwest Precinct Public Safety_Newsletter January 7 2009
Barking Dog Report: Gale Winds and High Waves
December 30, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Looks like we'll be wrapping up 2008 with a real blast from Mother Nature. Based on 
all the reports I'm checking out now…I'm issuing a "Barking Dog Report". If this is your first time hearing this term from BDB, my husband fondly refers to me as a "barking dog" when I'm anxious, especially if I think there's a chance that we may have water coming over our bulkhead. If we are preparing for this type of event, if I have time, I publish a "Barking Dog Report" on Beach Drive Blog. I rely on websites I have below under "Swell Links" on the left side of this blog.
The City of Seattlesite has is a "WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6PM THIS EVENING TO 7AM PST WEDNESDAY…TONIGHT…WINDY…RAIN…LOWS IN THE 30S. SOUTH WIND 15 TO 20 MPH INCREASING TO 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT."
The Puget Sound Marine Forecast has a "GALE WARNING IN EFFECT…TONIGHT…S WIND 20 TO 25 KT RISING TO 35 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT…THEN BECOMING SW LATE. WIND WAVES 3 OR 4 BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FT. RAIN TURNING TO SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT.
WED…SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT. SHOWERS. WED NIGHT…SW WINDS 10 TO 15 KT…BECOMING S AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 1 OR 2 FT.
Factor in our area tide schedule for the remainder of today and tomorrow:
At 5:43 pm today (just before Seattle's wind advisory), West Seattle tides are at the second high tide of the day at 9.4 feet. Tides retreat to a -0.7 feet at 12:37 am on Wednesday and then up to 12.3 feet at 7:58 am (just after the wind advisory is currently reported as being over).
Want more local weather info? Check out the Cliff Mass Weather Blog (I've added a his weather site to Swell Links). Hat tip to West Seattle Blog.
Southwest Precinct Safety Newsletter
December 23, 2008 by Leave a Comment
This issue contains great safety tips on
- Traveling
-
Shopping
-
Strangers at your door
-
Preventing bank fraud (phishing)
- Seattle Police Crime Stats
- Winter safety tips
- And so much more!
Read this issue by clicking here:Download Southwest Precinct Public Safety_Newsletter December 22 2008
News Release from the City of Seattle regarding the Weather
December 20, 2008 by Leave a Comment
On Sunday, Hiawatha Community Center will be open from noon – 5:00 pm for shelter should you need it. From the Press Release:
“Seattle Public Utilities reminds residents to prepare water pipes for cold weather. Shut off outside faucets, drain the water and protect them by insulating them with rags or foam covers. Pipes in exposed or unheated areas (attics, basements and garages) should be wrapped with tape and insulating materials, available at local hardware stores. Drain and remove all outdoor hoses, and shut off and drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
Residents are also urged to protect indoor sink pipes that are against exterior walls, by opening under-sink cabinet doors, allowing heat to circulate. During severe cold, allow the faucet farthest from your front door to slowly drip cold water. Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, day or night (even if you are away).
If a water pipe breaks, immediately close the main shut-off valve to stop excessive flooding. If you cannot turn off the main shut-off valve, SPU customers can call (206) 386-1800 and a crew will turn off the water at the meter for a standard service charge.”
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