‘NIGHT OUT’ REMINDER: The night for crimefighting, neighborhood-building block parties is August 3rd.

BARBECUE AT HICKS LAKE: 11 am-2 pm on August 14th.

STREETLIGHT TRACKER: Seattle City Light customers can not only report streetlight outages but also track how they’re being handled, by going to a new website. (Added: Here’s the link)

SEATTLE POLICE REPORT: Lt. James is introducing Officer Kiehn as the CPT officer for the West Seattle area that this group covers (among other areas). Next, he mentions that residential burglaries are a focus for the precinct – in Highland Park, there were 15 burglaries last month, and former CPT officer, now Detective, Jill Vanskike started investigating them, got the word out to patrol officers about what appeared to be a trend, and that led to the identification of suspects. Lt. James also is talking about a crackdown on car prowls, after encouraging people to call 911 about them. “Report everything, because we can’t be everywhere,” he reminds those on hand. He’s also letting those on hand know about the online information that SPD has added recently, including the availability of some reports, and the new incident map tools, plus the new online-reporting system launched yesterday for “low-level” crimes. (Added: Here’s the link.)

And Lt. James notes that August 21st, 1-4 pm, is the date for Picnic at the Precinct for the SW Precinct. In response to a question, Lt. James confirms that every precinct is giving two officers to the downtown/Belltown nightlife emphasis on Friday and Saturday nights – but he says they also have access to the same special emphasis on, say, Alki if they need it. Other questions include, from Dick Thurnau of Friends of Hicks Lake, who’s responsible for cleaning up after a car crash? Officer Kiehn’s reply: The tow crew that takes the wrecked car(s) away.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPORT, INCLUDING CLUB EVO: Deputy Jackson briefed the group, saying that a special crackdown is being planned for some ongoing problems. Separately – Club Evo is still a priority for the Gang Unit, she says, and they’re working with code enforcement from North Highline Fire, the Liquor Control Board, and other agencies regarding violations – she says a “case is opening up” and the NHFD will do a site visit; if Evo is not in compliance, then action will be taken. One attendee says that he just learned Evo hasn’t had the proper, complete licensing for years – Deputy Jackson confirms that’s true, and is being addressed.

Legislative candidate and White Center/South Delridge business owner “Mac” McElroy is here and says that he’s been told the best thing to do might be to send a letter to King County Executive Dow Constantine. Deputy Jackson says that’s certainly his prerogative as a citizen. It’s also being suggested from the audience that the King County Council should be a target of letter-writing as well. Another concern voiced: “A lot of homeless people sleeping near the street” near the future Strength of Place Initiative development site at 100th/13th. Deputy Jackson says without anyone in the storefront deputy position formerly held by Jeff Hancock, there is no one to proactively address problems like that; she says the future of that position may be made public by next month.

WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION: Now executive director Balahadia is up.

(This was the intense part of the meeting – click ahead for the continuation of our as-it-happened coverage)

She says neighborhood revitalization, family development and community building are the three lines of business for WCCDA; they try to connect the dots of all the work happening in the community. She mentions the neighborhood plan featuring 8 strategies that she says were hatched by people in the community. She says the plan is updated every year and presented at the annual Community Summit, which this year will be on December 4. She says more than 400 residents and 19 projects were part of another annual WCCDA-presented event, the Spring Clean (WCN coverage here). The Casey Foundation, she says, is a primary source of their funding. She says the revitalization component was the major part of their business when WCCDA started almost a decade ago, but it’s grown from there. Local banks also are a major contributor, she says. And a national group called Impact Capital funds WCCDA, she says. This year, they’re also helping other nonprofits with growth strategy in White Center, as well as training – which they offer to some people even in lines of interest such as “how to buy a house.”

Next, WCCDA’s Nhan Nguyen is speaking. “At the CDA, we set the table, but we don’t push the agenda,” he explains. He mentions that “White Center: Growing a Global Village” is then new brand. Welcome signs will be redone with the branding – and they will be asking people for their opinions. They’re also hoping to attract “family friendly businesses” to the area. They’re working with the King County Food and Fitness Initiative. Asked what the definition of the business district was, they focused on the central area not far from 16th and Roxbury, only as far south as 102nd – but not as far as 116th, despite an expression of surprise from some in attendance who say they consider the business district to stretch that far south. And questions arise about including the West Seattle side of White Center – Balahadia says, it’s not that we’re trying to promote West Seattle businesses first, but “many of you believe that (the South Delridge businesses) are part of White Center.” McElroy says people shouldn’t get too hung up on the Seattle/Unincorporated King County line. Ultimately, “it’s a resource question,” says Balahadia. And there’s another suggestion that this initial area WCCDA is working on may eventually change.

Finally, the “elephant in the room” comes up: Some are concerned that the CDA is “pushing to become part of Seattle.” Balahadia asks, “Has the coalition taken a position?” No, came the reply. Then Barbara Dobkin, who is on the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council but stresses that she attended as a private citizen, brings up the issue of WCCDA website content rearding annexation. Balahadia said WCCDA has not taken a position. She also says she is not prepared to have an annexation decision, but was here to talk about other community issues. She shortly switches the topic back to community work, and those who are working in White Center schools; she says, “Education is one of the issues that our families care the most about.”

She moves on to say that “there are a ton of things going on in White Center – but they’re not always connected.” She declares “there are a lot of positive things happening.” She also notes that 10 people work at WCCDA – and it used to be just 1 1/2 back in 2004. “We grew because the need was there – but we’re still 10 people strong – we need to look at ourselves as united on goals we can move on.” She says she’d be happy to have another conversation about annexation, “but frankly, it’s so divisive, and really tiring, and something that I hope we can moving forward around this issue.” Then another difficult issue comes up: 14 businesses serving alcohol in a 2-block radius. Balahadia agrees that’s not family-friendly and is asked, what’s the CDA’s stance on that? Nguyen answers this: “There’s nothing wrong with an alcohol-serving institution” and points to McElroy as someone running an “upstanding institution” – while then saying that he does have a problem with overserving, or selling high-potency beverages from stores, so he’s hopeful a Good Neighbor Agreement will work as well here as it has in other areas, such as Kent. Meantime, someone in the audience says he does have a problem with anyone selling alcohol. McElroy says, “It’s very easy to look at the end result and draw a direct lane to say, ‘If we stop serving this, we won’t have this problem’” and mentions Prohibition, noting that didn’t work. He suggests that the concerned citizen “not lump us (alcohol-serving businesses) all together. … I’m looking as part of your community to make this a better community for all of us.”

Another member of the WCCDA staff asks to take a turn and says even though it’s headquartered on the Seattle side of the line, they help many families on the other side of the city-limit line. She gets emotional, saying that WCCDA has helped her family as well and feels as if “personal attack(s)” are being made against the organization, and suggests she’s feeling blindsided by the direction that the discussion has taken. “Next time you invite us to come to one of your meetings, please be honest with us (regarding what topic you want to ask about).” Now chair Healy points out that historically, a WCCDA rep used to always be on hand at the coalition meeting – but sometime back, that changed, without warning. He is saying that the group did have many issues to ask about, including the family-friendliness (or lack of same) of an alcohol-laden business district. “We’ve got like three different issues going on,” Healy points out.

He also goes on to say – qualifying that it’s a personal opinion – that he has a toddler daughter and would not like to see her continuously witnessing alcohol being consumed. Now the guy who is planning to open Company (in the business district south of Roxbury on 16th) speaks, and says that his business is going to be 21+ only, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be “part of the destruction of the neighborhood.” Now the discussion turns to – would it feel so overwhelming, if there were more other types of businesses in addition to those? Then the issue shifts – it’s not just about the fact that alcohol is sold, but what about safety, and the atmosphere in which it is sold? The short-lived Hang Around Bar and Grill is brought up, and its proprietors’ attempt at “cleaning up” the area around the establishment (formerly The Wall, now vacant) – in an area that otherwise has trouble with prostitution, drugs, and gangs, in the opinion of the meeting-goer who’s speaking. “These aren’t neighborhood people who are most of the clientele of the place – they are being drawn from other neighborhoods, and they are making our neighborhood less … than it could be.” She suggests that the WCCDA get more deeply involved in addressing those problems (and those at Club Evo) and advocating that position.

Yet another attendee says it still sounds to him as if everyone is OK with the drunkenness problem. McElroy now refutes that and also points out that the people who are bringing new energy into the community are people like him, like Company proprietor Jesse, and Full Tilt Ice Cream proprietor Justin – and that seems to bring a discrepancy between the voiced perception that alcohol sales in and of themselves are bad, and the reality of business owners in a district with many vacant storefronts actually opening businesses and working hard in the community. He says finger-pointing “is divisive” and calls for unity. Standing next to him, a Highland Park resident who says, “Isn’t it really about the owners of the businesses and the people they hire” rather than what they sell/serve?

Another attendee then points out it boils down to the state Liquor Control Board’s enforcement – and suggests also that they bring the topic back to, what is the WCCDA doing in general, not just on this issue? Deputy Jackson steps into the discussion and reminds everyone to report the problems they see, so that there is something on the record when establishments file to renew their license. She says there have not been many official complaints about places that people griped about all the time – and that means there’s nothing on the record when renewal comes up again.

After another attendee exhorts the WCCDA to be sure that “the people” are educated about annexation – Balahadia points out that her organization hosted five community forums on the issue the last time it came up, with representatives of all sides.

Back to the alcohol issue – Friends of Hicks Lake’s Dick Thurnau points out the alcohol use in Lakewood Park and the cans/bottles he’s found, observing that it’s right next to two schools. North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s Christine Waldman brings back the key issue – go online and report liquor violations to the state. (We’ll add that link later too.)

And another issue has surfaced – what about the library system? Shouldn’t WCCDA be more involved in its future? Balahadia agrees that’s a good point. She now finally gets to conclude her presentation, giving kudos to White Center Jubilee Days and also mentions the upcoming Pasefika Festival at White Center Heights Elementary, as well as the upcoming annual YES Foundation backpack giveaway/street festival at Mount View Elementary on August 31st and at White Center Heights on September 1st – because of some funding changes, a WCCDA rep explains, it’s been split into two days, instead of the all-community, one-day event that it was in years gone by. And she says that Holy Family School‘s street festival is coming up September 11-12th.

With that, the meeting breaks up without a formal gaveling of any kind – though it’s almost 8 pm anyway.

(The WC Community Safety Coalition usually meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, 6 pm, at the same location – 9650 15th SW.)

To: The citizens of White Center

As of 06-24-10 I have submitted a request for transfer from the White Center Storefront to Pct#4 Patrol. This request for transfer was made voluntarily by me for several reasons.

As many of you know I have five children, and one on the way. The oldest is eight so it can get pretty hectic at home. My wife is truly amazing. She is a stay at home mom and home schools the two older boys. My job as the store front deputy has demanded much of my time over the years. My wife and kids would argue that on many occasions too much. The schedule for the storefront deputy is definitely not one conducive to family life. It is a 4-10 schedule (four ten hour days), which after my commute turns into a 4-13 schedule. Not to mention, this past year I have been working the Byrne grant gang overtime on Tuesdays and Saturday nights making my average week a 55 to 60 hour work week. It has taken its toll on my family life. With my wife being pregnant, as well as just recently being diagnosed with a serious medical illness, I need to spend more time at home. Along with this is the fact that I will receive a 3-4% pay increase by leaving the storefront and returning to patrol. With all of my kids and my wife’s illness this extra money will really help.

I thank all of you for your support over the years. Many of you have asked me to stay in the store front and have hinted that you intend on petitioning the command staff to achieve that end. I assure you that the decision is mine and has already been made. I apologize for the lack of timely information in regards to my leaving the storefront, and any confusion it has caused. I want all of you to know that the Sheriff’s Office, from the Sheriff on down to every deputy on the street, wants what’s best for White Center. I have grown to really love and care for this community.

Having said that, it would be very troubling for me to know that my leaving somehow, or in any way, has weakened the bond the community of White Center has with the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office on top of just serving White Center is part of the White Center Family. Unlike any other community I have worked in, White Center and the Sheriff’s Office have a unique bond. We are family. Now is the time to strengthen that bond.
I have been honored to work here and please know that you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Deputy Hancock

Tonight’s NHUAC meeting is at the usual place and time – 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ.

And now Triangle Pub owner Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy is bringing up the problem that led to a big law-enforcement response early Saturday – he’s concerned about this happening just a few weeks after the deadly shooting in the same 16th/Roxbury area. Coalition co-chair Sean Healy is talking about previous guest appearances at this meeting by the owner of the club now known as Evo (formerly Evolucion), which was said to be the source of last weekend’s event. “It’s affecting the reputation of the community,” McElroy said.

6:41 PM: Vary Jackson from the King County Sheriff’s Office says she read the report today, and the response totaled more than 30 police/KCSO cars, “from Seattle to Tukwila, and even Metro.” There was no evidence of shots, but apparently a pepper-spray canister went off and sounded like gunshots, she said, plus there were numerous “fights.” As for possible liquor violations – Perkins from the LCB says Evo has no license. They’re also talking about the “do not occupy” violations recently posted at Evo – Pat Price says that she’s been told they’ve been allowed to operate because the sprinkler system “is being worked on.” The discussion now has turned to how to address the problem – there are major groups inside White Center that aren’t represented at this meeting, for example, like the CDA and Chamber, it’s been pointed out. Meantime, KCSO’s Jackson says a multi-agency meeting is happening soon to discuss Club Evo and whether it’s in violation.

7:02 PM: Liz Giba talks about problems in the past and says “there is nothing new about this” – recalling other community efforts, such as walking the business district on a weekend night and even going into the club – but also says it’s clear that “this is an organization that doesn’t care about the community.” Healy says that it’s time to picket. Jackson says Evo’s owner owns 2 years in back taxes.

7:07 PM: Jackson has just confirmed that Deputy Jeff Hancock is no longer her partner as White Center storefront deputy. She doesn’t have any additional information beyond that. (We have had a request out to KCSO since yesterday for official information on what’s happening with Deputy Hancock and will renew our request in the wake of this news.)

7:23 PM: Coalition members are agreeing to do more research on what’s been going on with Evo – including seeking what’s available via public records – and also talking about a protest and petition. Another issue that’s come up at the meeting – Gill Loring says this building itself, the White Center DSHS HQ, has a terrible trash problem outside (we’re headed out to have a look – it’s now 7:36 pm and the meeting has adjourned).

Thanks to Steve for the photo, which we’ve cropped so it doesn’t give away sensitive information – he e-mailed to let us know about a police standoff in the area of 14th/124th in Burien (map), involving threats between family members in a nearby residence. Since he shared the info with us, we’re letting you know in case you’re planning to head through that area. No word of any injuries so far.

(North Highline council members Barbara Dobkin, Rebecca Lopes, Christine Waldman, Jessica Stoneback, Ron Johnson, Patrick Mosley, Richard Miller, Pat Price, Stephen Porter [not pictured: Heidi Johnson])
Story and photos by Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for White Center Now

First up from last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting at North Highline Fire District HQ: The seven winners of the May 20 election (District 1: Pat Price, District 2: Stephen Porter, District 3: Jessica Stoneback, District 4: Christine Waldman, At Large: Rebecca Lopes, Barbara Dobkin and Richard Miller) were seated for the first time as active council members.

But those who previously served got a moment of recognition too: King County Councilmember Jan Drago‘s executive assistant Holly Krejci recognized, on behalf of Drago, past members for their “timeless work on behalf of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council,” collectively serving 12 years.

Up next, King County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hancock shared the monthly crime report that included:

* three felony assaults
* 10 misdemeanor assaults
* one stabbing
* two shooting calls
* one homicide
* two robberies
* 25 burglaries, of which two were commercial
* 20 auto thefts

These statistics were alarming to council members and residents, considering just months ago Hancock’s crime report was significantly less. Hancock attributes this to fewer police on patrol, because the Weed and Seed and Byrne grants have finished funding and assisting with a higher police presence. Presently, this unincorporated area of King County has only two officers on patrol, and Hancock agrees that the numbers reflect this.

“We can’t do proactive police work,” said Hancock. “The best thing you can do as residents is be a good neighbor.” However, he did emphasize that should a high priority crime take place, backup is only minutes away from the Seatac or Burien police departments.

Council Member Patrick Mosley did ask about a new drug on the streets called ‘wet’–marijuana cigarettes dipped in embalming fluid — to which Hancock did say they had seen an increase in its abuse.

Also visiting from King County was Paulette Norman from the Roads Division of the Transportation Department, to distribute and discuss the South Park Bridge Final Closure Plan, also found here. Norman emphasized that even if funding was secured tomorrow, the bridge would still close as currently scheduled at 7 pm June 30th, because it would take almost three years to dismantle and rebuild a new one.

She did agree with most in the audience that the area around the bridge won’t look aesthetically pleasing for a while, and she also emphasized they are doing everything possible to help with the traffic diversions, including the installation of new digital message signs to help with communications of any traffic issues to commuters. These are going up along 1st Ave South, Highway 99, 509 and 599, hopefully she said, right around June 30, the day the bridge closes.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets the first Thursday of every month at the North Highline Fire District Office. Visit www.northhighlineuac.org for more info.

DSHS - 9650 15th Ave SW (second floor)
AGENDA
Executive Committee: Sean Healy (Chairman), Angela Rambo, & Barbara Liberace.

6:00-6:10 Welcome; Introductions

6:10-6:15 Announcements

6:15-6:30 Police Reports – KCSO and SPD

6:30-6:35 Business of the Month presentation

6:35-7:05 Guest Speakers: Block Watch Coordinators

7:05-7:30 Community Planning; Wrapup

A shooting early Saturday morning (May 22nd) left a man dead in a White Center street. The incident occurred about 2:30 AM.

The victim was found in the eastbound lanes of the 1500 block of SW Roxbury Street. He was dead when police arrived after receiving a 9-1-1 call of a shooting. He was shot at least once, and in his early 20’s.

According to a witness who was driving by and heard several gunshots, the man stumbled out of an alley and collapsed in the street. There were numerous people in the alley, but most were gone when Sheriff’s deputies arrived, just minutes later.

No one has come forward who actually witnessed the shooting.

If anyone has information on the case they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

]]> http://whitecenternow.com/2010/05/16/followup-deputies-look-for-white-center-shooting-witnesses/feed/ 5