Beach Drive Blog

Precinct Public Safety Newsletter

June 18, 2009

Dear Community Friends,

Night Out is now ready for online registration at http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/default.htm.

Summertime Security Tips

During warm weather months, we often see an increase in burglary and theft.  Reasons for this include:

q       Windows at residences left open for ventilation when residents are not home.

q       Unattended open garages while residents are working in the yard or have briefly left the home.

q       Unattended personal belongings while at a park or other recreational venues.

q       Unattended personal belongings visible in our vehicles.

We want to remind you about the potential for an increase in burglary and theft and provide you with concrete steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability.  Please share these tips with your neighbors.

Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened

q       Always close and lock windows whenever away from the home.  If you choose to ventilate your home when you are not home because of the heat, be aware that you are vulnerable and an easy target for the burglar.

q       If you leave windows open enough for ventilation, secure with less than 4” opening with a dowel.  Some windows have stops installed on the inside track, which help prevent the window from being opened too far.  However, some of these are not very sturdy and can be opened given the right amount of force.  Augment those stops with a dowel.  For double hung windows, use sash pins to better secure the windows. 

Lock Your Doors

Install good quality dead bolt locks with at least a 1” throw on all exterior doors.

q       Replace the existing screws in the strike plates and two screws per hinge with 3-4 inch screws.  This will secure the doorframe to the 2×4 framing of the house.  This makes it much more difficult for a person to force open a properly locked door.

Working In The Yard

If working in the yard in the front or back of the home:

q       Do not leave your front door open and/or unlocked.  Close and lock garage and storage unit that is out of your line of sight.  Be mindful of what is in plain view to anyone who may walk or drive by. 

Secure Tools and Ladders

q       Secure all tools, including ladders, so they cannot be used to gain entry into your home or that of a neighbor.

Make it appear that your home is occupied. 

q       You can do this by having timers set within the home that will turn lights on and off.  You may want to consider timers for your exterior lights or photocell attachments (which activate when it gets dark and go off when it becomes light) and motion sensors.

If Away For An Extended Period Of Time

q       Ask a friend or trusted neighbor to watch your home and collect your mail and your newspaper.  If they see suspicious activity, they will know to call 911 for you. 

q       Call Police 625-5011 and ask for a “Request to Watch” for your home while on vacation

Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended

Whether they are in a shopping cart or on a picnic blanket, always maintain positive control over your belongings.  Never leave personal belongings unattended in your vehicle. 

Seattle

has an incredibly high rate of theft of personal property from vehicles, particularly at public parks.

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

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

West Seattle

Blog, Tracy Record, Editor

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

Police Crime Statistics

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

West Seattle Blog has a disturbing story about how a man (mis)represented himself as an employee of Comcast when knocking on a door at 7pm last night at Beach Drive and Douglas Place.

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Warm summer nights breeds opportunity for criminals when doors and windows are left open.  In this case, Chris from Beach Drive was taking a nap when the stranger awoke him knocking on the door.  I do encourage you to read the entire post at West Seattle Blog and to call the Police when you suspect something's not right.

Tis the season for water rescues.   Seattle Fire Department's Ladder 11 was just at Mee Kwa Mooks running a rescue drill.