June 23, 9:00 a.m.  – 1:00 pm,

West Seattle High School Theater, 3000 California Ave. SW

The Hanukkah Eve Windstorm of 2006 was another wake up call for many West Seattle residents and neighborhoods…are we really ready as a peninsula community for the next "big one"?

The Southwest Police Precinct Advisory Council has been concerned about this and working to facilitate emergency preparedness though local community groups. As a result, on Saturday, June 23, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., they will be holding a public meeting on West Seattle Emergency Preparedness. The event will take place at the West Seattle High School Theater and commons area.

To refresh memories on the significance of preparedness, keynote speaker Ken Jones, KING-5 News Senior Photographer, will share his experiences in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. After an overview of the Office of Emergency Management’s new citizen preparedness program Seattle Neighbors Actively Prepare (SNAP), West Seattle specific information will be provided by the West Seattle Police Precinct, the Seattle Fire Department and community sheltering locations.

Communications information will be provided by the West Seattle team of the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service, which is the HAM radio citizen network organized for emergency support, Jack Mayne of the West Seattle Herald, and internet use suggestions from the West Seattle Blogger.

Several examples of differing levels of community preparedness will also be presented, featuring a speaker from Vashon Be Prepared, one of the best organized community groups in the area.

The final part of the workshop will have people break out into their geographic areas and neighborhood groupings, so they can talk about what might be done to help their neighborhood be prepared for what might come next.

This event is also sponsored by the Southwest and Delridge District councils, which are made up of 17 different community groups. Program details are available at www.morganjunction.org or by calling Cindi Barker at 206-933-6968.

I was just out walking my dog (actually, he walks me) when a neighbor informed me that his daughters car was broken into last week.  The car was parked on the 4500 block of Beach Drive.    The vandals took a big plain box (there was a car seat inside, the theives would not have known this) and sunglasses.    The daughter assumes they might have got in by a slightly opened window in the vehicle.

Do we have any block watch captains?  This would be good information to add to the neighborhood list.   If so, please contact me.   

Published on March 2, 2007, here is a link to read the two page Safety Newsletter.   It is packed with very important information about safety.

Here are some facts, trends and security tips on home burglaries from the newsletter:

• Burglaries most often occur between 11:00 a.m.  – 4:00 p.m.  when most people are at work.
• Burglaries when the home is occupied, are rare.   The thieves do not want to encounter anyone.    They want to get in and get out with your goods.
• Common points of entry include open/unlocked bathroom or kitchen windows and unlocked doors.    Ground level or basement windows and back/side doors are also popular.
• Do not open your doors to strangers.   When someone comes to the door, answer the door without opening it even if you are expecting someone.    Notify your neighbors if you suspect someone strange is going door to door (this is a good reason to get our "neighborhood list" complete).

For more information about the Seattle Police Department Southwest Precinct, click here.