Graffiti at Beach Drive and Jacobsen

It looks like we’ve had some punks "tag" the new home being constructed at the base of Jacobsen as well as some public street signs.    Graffiti is vandalism and when it’s done on public property, the City of Seattle wants you to report it (which has been done in this case) to 206-684-7587.   By the way, this is also the same number you c an use for illegal dumping.

The Seattle Police Department states that

"Graffiti is created to be seen by others, so the best thing to do if it appears on your property is to paint it out thoroughly and immediately."

Speaking of vandalism, Seattle Night Out is just a few months away and it’s probably a good time to start planning neighborhood events and to renew our Block Watch efforts.   

Ideas?

Did you witness a car accident this week on Beach Drive?

This message from Beach Drive neighbor, Judy:

A young man living with us this summer has his car rammed on Beach Drive at the north end of Me-Kwa-Mooks Park sometime between 8 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. this morning.  There is quite a bit of damage to the back left tire, fenders, etc., with white paint left.  No note was left.  We’re wondering if anyone saw or heard anything. 

Please contact Judy if you noticed someone ramming a car earlier this week.

Official Barking Dog Report: Nasty Wind and Waves

Latest Puget Sound Marine Forecast:

…GALE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT TUESDAY…

TONIGHT…SW WIND 25 TO 35 KT BECOMING N 10 TO 20 KT NORTH PART AT TIMES. WIND DIMINISHING LATE TONIGHT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 6 FT EASING TO 2 FT LATE. SHOWERS AND A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS.

My first report from the Marine Forecast was that the gale warning would last until 11 Istock_000002610704medium_1 tonight (just prior to our high tide of 11:21 pm).  In light of how nasty this has been and that the wind and waves are still going strong, I think this justifies a "barking dog" report.

The City of Seattle says things will lighten up after midnight:

REST OF TONIGHT…WINDY. SHOWERS THIS EVENING…THEN NUMEROUS SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE 40S. SOUTHWEST WIND 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH THIS EVENING…DECREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

To be on the "safe side" we are dragging out our pumps and preparing for worse case scenario.   What are you doing?

SW Precinct Public Safety Newsletter

Download southwest_precinct_public_safety_newsletter_may_21_2008.pdf

Click on the above link to get the most recent issue of the Southwest Precinct Public Safety Newsletter.

Mark your calendars for Seattle Night Out which will be August 5, 2008.   Last years event was a lot of fun–I know I really enjoyed getting to better know our neighbors.

West Seattle Blog has other "safety" event dates here.

Odd Door to Door People Alert

I’m just returning home from picking up some flowers at West Seattle Nursery.  I no sooner got out of my car when a tall guy walked up to me wanting to had me a bright green card.  I said "no thanks".  He’s walking with another fella wearing an orange safety vest. 

Sorry…that’s all I have.  Just wanted to give my neighbors a heads up.  I’ve been noticing more strange people canvasing the neighborhood.  They’re obviously not tourist or someone enjoying the views.

A Reminder to Post Your No Soliciting Sign

Larry Carpenter tells a story at West Seattle Blog about odd visitors at his front door.   I don’t recommend opening your front door unless you recognize who’s there…too many goofy people out there.

Bikes on Sidewalks

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I’m always kind of surprised when I see a perfectly capable adult riding their bike on a  sidewalk when they could be on Beach Drive.  Come on folks, we have sharrows!

Beach Drive is loaded with hidden driveways and plenty of pedestrians too.   If a sidewalk-biker believes they are safer than being on the road, I beg to differ. 

The nice lady pictured here apologized as she blew past me and my dog last weekend.    I can totally understand being on the sidewalk with your bicycle…if you have training wheels.

Southwest Precinct Public Newsletter – March Issue

Read it by clicking here (this will open as a pdf)

Download southwest_precinct_public_safety_newsletter_march_4_2008.pdf

Please Don’t Pass

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I’ve been noticing more and more passing with anxious drivers along Beach Drive.   Last weekend, I witnessed a small red car (a Rabbit?) pass a driver who was going around 30 mph (which happens to be the speed limit).   The car went into the other lane and nearly missed a bicyclist that was approaching in the oncoming lane.   I’ve seen all kinds of cars from exotics to clunkers pass other vehicles with drivers of all ages.

This is Beach DRIVE.  Not Beach Freeway or Beach Highway.  This neighborhood is full of families and pets.  With all the parks and Puget Sound, Beach Drive attracts bicyclist, runners, walkers…just people out for a stroll.  It’s a small strip of road that is dense with population.   And with the swerves, bumps and side streets, it’s not accommodating to high speeds.    

The passing I’ve seen lately is dangerous and it’s only time before an accident happens and someone is hurt.   Slow it down to 30 mph, folks.  Please reconsider passing the driver in front of you…most times, if someone is driving too slow, taking in the view, they’ll pull over and let you by when there’s room to do so.   

Barking Dog Report: Howling Winds and High Tides

Istock_000002610704medium_1 The winds are certainly howling right now and so I just checked out forecast…as always, I hope I’m just yipping at much ado over nothing.

Our next high tide which is a 12.0 takes place at 5:50 tomorrow morning.

Seattle City Forecast for tomorrow:

THURSDAY…WINDY. MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS LIKELY. HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 40S. SOUTHWEST WIND 25 TO 35 MPH IN THE MORNING WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 55 MPH…DECREASING TO 15 TO 25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

Puget Sound Marine Forecast:

…GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM PST THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…

TONIGHT…SW WIND 15 TO 25 KT RISING TO 25 TO 35 KT AFTER MIDNIGHT. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT…BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FT. RAIN.

THU…SW WIND 25 TO 35 KT…EASING TO 15 TO 25 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 4 TO 6 FT SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FT. CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

This is sounding ruff!