November 26, 2008

Dear Community Friends,

SPD Blotter

Citizens often wonder what is happening when they see Police carrying out their responsibilities in their neighborhood.  There is an easy way to satisfy your curiosity.  We now have a way for you to get the information that you are looking for in a timely manner.  The Seattle Police Department has launched the SPD Blotter.

The SPD Blotter went on line in September 2008.  It provides a near real-time recap of significant crime events.  You can review events from all over the city, or look specifically at events in the police precinct area.  You are able to review recent events, that happened last night or over the weekend.  The archive feature allows you to review previous events in the SPD Blotter.

There are three ways to get the SPD Blotter:

·         You can go to the SPD website and view the latest entries on our home page.

www.seattle.gov/police.

·         You can access the Blotter directly by going to its specific web address,

http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/.

·         You can subscribe to the Blotter so that it automatically arrives to you via email.  Go to http://feeds.feedburner.com/spdblotter to sign up for this feature.

Crime Prevention During the Holiday Season

The Seattle Police Department would like to remind you of some simple steps you can take to guard yourself against crime this holiday season.

Personal Safety

q       Rather than shopping alone, go with a family member or friend.

q       Be aware of your surroundings when using ATM’s.  Do not keep your PIN on your person.

q       Avoid carrying a large amount of cash.  Use credit cards or checks

q       Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason.  Criminals may try to distract and confuse you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

Vehicle Safety

q       Do not leave anything of value in your car.  Packages and shopping bags should be hidden away from sight.  Do not just cover them with a coat or blanket.

q       Park in a lighted area, and lock your car doors.

q       Never leave your keys in the ignition. When warming up your car, do not leave it unattended.

q       Do not drink and drive.  When attending holiday celebrations, consider designating a driver or taking a cab.

Make your home safe from burglars.

q       Do not hide your key outside the door, under mats, flowerpots, over moldings, etc.  Rather leave a key with a trusted neighbor.

q       Have good safe locks on all doors.  Use auxiliary deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.  Lock the doors when you go out, even for just a minute.

q       Install an alarm that can detect entry.  Post a sign on doors and windows showing that the residence has an alarm.

q       Do not let strangers into your home.  Use a peephole or talk through door. Ask for identification.  Post “No Solicitors” to avoid having to deal with sell people.

q       Do not leave house and car keys together with attendants at public parking lots.  Your house keys can be quickly duplicated and your address obtained from your plate number.

q       Do not give information to strangers on the telephone or online.  Do not answer any questions, hang-up and/or delete.

q       Report to Police any strangers loitering in your neighborhood or people asking strange or vague questions about your neighbors.

Police Blotter, Megan Sheppard, West Seattle Herald

http://www.westseattleherald.com/news/police%20blotter/

This web page is update every week on Tuesday.

Download southewest_precinct_public_safety_newsletter_october_29_2008.pdf

You may have noticed a tour bus with a large group wandering along the waterfront of Mee Kwa Mooks down to Beach Drive and Jacobsen.  Apparently it is a group of American and Japanese geologist studying earthquakes and tsunami’s and they stopped here for a tour before beginning their conference.   The geologist that I briefly taked to stated that they are interested in this area because of the similarities to California and Japan. 

I’ve written about speeders on Beach Drive before so you can imagine my glee that we   now have one of those flashing spedometers across from Emma Schmits View Point.   I just noticed it while walking the pooch.   More to follow.

Update ~ October 9, 2008 8:30 am:  Out for my morning walking of the dog…I can hear cars slowing  down as the approach the automated speed limit sign.   It’s working!

This just in…I’ll update this post as I get more information.  Keep an eye out for a green Suburu Forester with a broker mirror.

"….as my son was loading up his car this morning along Beach Dr, a green Subaru Forester was speeding by and actually hit the door of our car, (just missing my son) and broke off the Forester’s outside mirror.    Of course the speeding car did not stop. Unfortunately my son did not get a license plate number."

Update: the broken mirror is on the Suburu’s passenger side and the event happened on the 6500 block of Beach Drive.   If you spot a car matching this description, please contact the Seattle Police Department.

The suspect was caught…it happened this afternoon in a "secure" condo.   To get the full scoop, read about it on West Seattle Blog.

At the Seattle Night Out event last month, the SPD mentioned that many burglaries happen during warmer weather because of people leaving doors and windows unlocked.  In fact, they warned of increased incidents where people were gardening in their front yards while someone would sneak in through the back and snatch a purse (or something else quick).  I have no idea if this is what happened this afternoon.   At the very least, it’s a reminder for all of us.

Read it here:Download southwest_precinct_public_safety_newslette_august_15_2008.pdf