Here is a local class that will be available in West Seattle from the City of Seattle:
Alki Community Center
5817 SW Stevens St
Thurs, Nov 15, 7-8:30 p.m.
Emergency Preparedness Classes in West Seattle
October 15, 2007 by Leave a Comment
What’s Shakin’ West Seattle?
October 13, 2007 by Leave a Comment
The Seattle Times reports there are new earthquake maps available detailing updated fault lines for our region and how vulnerable various neighborhoods are. To see the entire map, click here. (The lighter the color, the less shaking you should have according to the map).
Reminder to buy and install the “No Soliciting” sign
October 8, 2007 by Leave a Comment
It was just last week when Benjamin Kinlow , Crime Prevention Coordinator, was at our preliminary Block Watch Meeting…one of his suggestions was for us to purchase and install "No Solicitation" signs.
Last Night’s Beach Drive Block Watch Meeting
October 3, 2007 by Leave a Comment
Here are a few notes from the Block Watch meeting we had last night for the 4600-4800 blocks of Beach Drive.
The meeting was ran by Benjamin Kinlow, Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Seattle Police Department and he invites any others who are interested in starting a block watch to contact him 206-684-7724.
Block Watches create a sense of community. Neighbors get to know each other on a first name basis. Once we know each other a little more, from events like Seattles Night Out, the more we look out for each other.
During the last 12 months, the biggest complaints from the 11 neighbors present is car prowlers and people sleeping in front of Mee Kwa Mooks Park in their cars. As well as illegal dumping in the park.
Here are a few tips that were shared last night:
- Make sure your neighbors know when you’re leaving your home for an extended period of time, such as a vacation. (Even if you have someone house sitting). When you go on vacation, you can make a "request to watch" with the SPD. They’ll try to include your home when they are driving around on patrol.
- Create an inventory list of your belongings in the event of theft or loss. You can do a written list (I have extra forms from the meeting available) including serial numbers, or take photo graphs and store off site. This is also useful for insurance purposes.
- Keep your home appearing "lived in". Consider using timers on your lights.
- Install a "No Soliciting" sign on your door. NEVER open your doors to strangers.
- Make sure that your yard is well lit.
- There are two ways into your home: your doors and your windows. Use 3 inch screws in your striker plate and your hinges in order to reinforce your door to the wall. For windows, make sure you have two separate ways they’re locked so that if someone breaks your window at one point, it’s still secure.
- Think like a burglar. Walk up to your house and estimate how long it would take to enter. The longer it takes, the less desirable your home is to the bad guys (and gals).
- Make your valuables less attractive my engraving your driver license number on them.
- Install community Block Watch signs to let non-residents know that our community looks out for each other.
- Don’t be afraid to call 9-1-1. You can also use the Seattle Police non-emergency line: 206-625-5011 (if it’s not an emergency).
Benjamin Kinlow provided pamphlets on Neighborhood Safety, Vehicle Security, Personal Safety and Your Family Disaster Kit.
I’m really pleased with the gathering we had. I understand that there is another Beach Drive Block Watch group that is forming in the 5000 block. Someone else has contacted me expressing interest in starting a Block Watch Group for the 4200 Block of Beach Drive. I highly welcome using Beach Drive Blog for "connecting" the block watches by sharing information amongst each other. If you have a Block Watch on Beach Drive, please let me know.
More information specific to the meeting last night is located on the secure neighbor site with the link on the left and/or via an email newsletter.
If you’re a Beach Drive Neighbor and need a log in, please contact me.
Related links:
Seattle Police Department Southwest Precinct
Fall is here.
September 30, 2007 by Leave a Comment
We spent today doing errands to prepare for fall and possible storms. One stop was to R&R Rentals in Burien where they sale and rent Honda pumps and generators. If you’re planning on buying one (which I recommend you make a purchase, if you flood) then you may need to order it in advance. Next, we went up to Ballard to Sutter Home and Hearth to get a new fireplace insert gas logs and burner (our old one rusted). It was a nice evening to sit by the fireplace.
It’s not time to freak out…just time to prepare for fall and winter.
Speaking of preparing, there will be a Block Watch Meeting on Tuesday evening for Beach Drive SW around the 46-4800 Blocks. Neighbors can log on to the password protected BD Neighbor site or email me for more details.
SPD at Mee Kwa Mooks Park
September 11, 2007 by Leave a Comment
Someone tanning themselves nearby stated that it was a pretty large fight between a group of young men. One van load was hauled away.
The Three P’s: Planning, Preparing and … Panic!
September 10, 2007 by 1 Comment
Winter still seems far away…but it’s not so far away that you can’t start planning for one of the big storms we’ve had. In the few years we’ve lived on Beach Drive, we’ve been pummeled 3 times with waves, salt and wind.
We’ve had some very nice neighbors who have offered to help “bail us out” and we’ve had other neighbors who were not well prepared and wanted to borrow our pumps (ummm….we were kind of using them).
Here is a quick list, if you live on the “water side” of things you may want to consider picking up before we’re in “storm season” and they’re sold out. (We have Honda’s for our generator and pumps).
- Generators
- Pumps (we have two and it so far that’s paid off because it seems like every time one has decided to quit on us). UPDATE: Aurora Rents is open on Sundays and have pumps available to rent should you flood like we do!
- Gas for generators and pumps
- Big Thermos full of coffee (maybe Spanish Coffee)
- Tide Charts to read along with the upcoming Puget Sound marine forecast (links on the right column of BDB under “Swell Links”).
- Tall rubber boots
- Neoprene gloves
You can always try renting pumps and generators. It use to be more convenient when the rental place was located on Fauntleroy instead of SODO and the storm needs to hit when the rental place is open for biz. (See note above regarding Aurora Rents).
We have a neighbor friend who keeps a “crash kit” of warm clothing ready for when it’s time to go battle the wind and waves.
This is just a few ideas in the event of a storm with high tides. What to do if we’re out of power for 5 plus days in the winter is enough for another post at a later date.
UPDATE: Since writing this post, you can connect with Beach Drive Blog with Twitter @BeachDriveBlog or Facebook fb.com/beachdriveblog using your cell phones should we lose power.
Quick Update re: Beach Drive Block Watch Meeting
September 6, 2007 by Leave a Comment
The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, 2007 has been postponed. We have a few neighbors who have committed to participating that will not be able to attend on Tuesday.
I’ve emailed Officer Ben and will let you know when we have this rescheduled.
I apologize for any inconvenience.
Did you hear the fireworks?
August 30, 2007 by Leave a Comment
This afternoon, three loud blast happened around Emma Schmitz Park. Guess I’m not the only one who heard it.
What would possess someone to light off fireworks (check out the white pipe at their feet) in the middle of the afternoon at the end of August?
Beach Drive Block Watch Update and Neighbor List
August 30, 2007 by Leave a Comment
NOTE: I’ve been duking it out with Comcast who has wrongly dumped my emails into their nasty spam category. I do a lot of email with my "real job". Because of Comcast, I have not been able to send this message out to neighbors…my apologies.
Hello Neighbor!
If you’re receiving this email, it could mean a couple of things:
- You asked to be included on updates regarding the block watch
- You attended the Seattle Night Out event on Angeline Street earlier this month
- Somehow we have your email address on the neighbor list on www.beachdriveblog.com.
If you do not want to be on the list or to receive Block Watch information, please reply with "remove" in the subject line and I will do so without any further questions.
If you do not want to be on the Beach Drive Neighbor List, please send me an email requesting to be removed (again–no problem).
Please do visit www.beachdriveblog.com and click on the Beach Drive Neighbors link on the left side of the page. This is private list that requires a login and password. (Please contact me and if you’re on the list, I’ll provide you with the login/password).
Please take a moment to review your info and make sure it’s correct. I’ve done my best…but I’m far from perfect! If you’re not on there and would like to be, please let me know.
I have scheduled a Block Watch meeting with our area representative from the SPD (even though they were a no-show at our gathering for Seattle Night Out).
This is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18 at 6:30 pm. (this is post poned) I’m not sure WHERE it’s going to be! Alyson has gernerously offered her nice lot on Angeline again.
Please let me know the following:
1) Are you interested in participating in a Block Watch?
2) Are you interested in hosting the meeting at your home?
I would also like to take this moment to thank my neighbors, Natalie and Susan D. for helping to pass out flyers for the Seattle Night Out event and a BIG thank you to Alyson and our neighbors on Angeline who hosted the event on their street and Alyson’s yard. I think it was a success and I look forward to the event next year.
I look forward to hearing from you.
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