White Center Now: The blog about White Center

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The second in-person meeting post-pandemic for the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council happened tonight at the North Highline Fire Station. NHUAC had to wait for the station’s renovations to be complete before it had a meeting place again.

NHUAC president Liz Giba facilitated.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: First up, she introduced Precinct 4 KCSO commander Major Koby Hamill and Capt. Chris Przygocki, brand-new at the precinct as of October after being promoted within KCSO. This was his third community-council event, Hamill said. They asked about questions/concerns – including the recent departure of Sgt. Glen Brannon from the storefront deputy possession. Hamill said that like most police agencies, KCSO is dealing with an officer shortage. “Unfortunately … we’re at about 67 percent staffing in the KCSO Southwest Precinct … same number as the other unincorporated precincts … 72 vacancies and 60 to 70 deputies in training … So we have another 60 to 70 bodies, but (because of training) they’re not deployable bodies.” But he just filled the Greenbridge housing deputy position “that’s been vacant for years.” That deputy can help out when needed. He thinks the storefront position “will be vacant a little while longer” because they had some fill-ins who didn’t work out. They have a few potential internal candidates, and will broaden recruiting if that doesn’t work out. “It takes a certain deputy to be a storefront deputy … I’m not going to give you just anybody off the shelf.” Most of the time, he said in response to a question, WC has two deputies on patrol. Burien deputies back them up when needed, Hamill said, and vice versa. He said he has a commitment that in early January they’ll get this precinct back up to 70 percent. They apportion staffing via a periodic “draft,” he explained. … The new storefront deputy isn’t likely to be a local resident, he said, because most live someplace cheaper – “even White Center is expensive,” he noted.

Attendees asked about recent incidents. Re: the car-wash shooting, and the quick arrest thanks to security video, the Captain said he was taken into custody and they recovered the gun, but he apparently was having a mental-health issue and believed the victim was someone he was not. They found the suspect in a play area at an apartment complex nearby. The victim survived. … Re: the recent pedestrian fatality, a man hit the pedestrian and didn’t know it until he “felt a thump.” He wasn’t impaired, said the captain, and reported it immediately to 911. There were no particular circumstances that the KCSO duo was aware of regarding why it happened. … They didn’t have additional info about the recent attack on a Metro driver; Maj. Hamill said those are so common that some drivers don’t even report it (in police talk, “don’t want to be a victim”).

He also talked about what a different world this is and why store staff don’t want to engage with someone committing a crime – “you don’t know who you’re dealing with any more,” they might be dealing with someone who’s armed and/or dangerous. … Maj. Hamill also touched briefly on the booking restrictions that result in misdemeanor suspects not being booked into jail. “There’s a lot behind the scenes that you don’t know about,” he said. He also said there’s a push to increase penalties. But overall shoplifting, for example, isn’t a big problem except at Roxbury Safeway. They do help empower businesses to grant officers the right to trespass people – they’ve been dropping off forms that need to be filed out, Przygocki said. … “How are we ever going to get back to civility?” agonized one woman. Just because they don’t jail/charge anyone immediately doesn’t mean they won’t ever refer the case for charges. But “there’s only so many people they can prosecute, so first-time offenders” – in some cases – “might get off.” In talking about the spread of crime into many areas, Hamill mentioned he lives “in rural Pierce County” and his block has been rocked by multiple-victim shootings. … City and county officers can cooperate, he noted, and can make arrests and search for suspects on both sides of the city-limit line. … WC has gentrified, too, it was observed by both an attendee and Hamill – it used to be a lot rowdier, among other qualities.

Other topics that came up included the noise of modified mufflers … The Halloweentown block party on 16th went smoothly; KCSO sent a couple extra deputies … Three extra deputies are working tonight on a “special project” for KCSO, Hamill said … Another attendee asked if mom-n-pop shops get priority over corporate-owned stores in terms of responses. “No, it all depends on when the call comes out,” said Hamill, or if it’s a Priority X (major) call, for example. … Maj. Hamill said unincorporated King County does not have high-tech innovations like Flock cameras that can track suspects long distance – yet … An attendee who lives near White Center Heights Park said he wants to see speed bumps to slow the reckless drivers near his house – reply: ask King County Road Services (which reports to Local Services, whose director was in earshot) … What’s the biggest thing happening in the area that we all should be concerned about? asked another attendee. “No one theme,” said Maj. Hamill. “Just general awareness.” The commander then veered into an endorsement of home security cameras. “Be vigilant. And (when you need to), call us. That’s what we’re here for. Don’t ever hesitate to call us.” Call 911 and they’ll transfer you if it’s not an emergency, he added. … NHUAC’s Giba asked about the Tim’s Tavern music issue, which she said was supposed to be handed over to KCSO, but Hamill said it hadn’t come to his attention, yet, and noted that noise complaints are a low priority. … What about budget cuts? Personnel cuts in KCSO were focused on civilian positions as far as he knows, said Maj, Hamill.

DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL SERVICES: Road issues were addressed first – a sidewalk problem is blamed on tree roots and they’re trying to figure out how to do that “without killing trees” … The traffic-calming feature in front of Victory Church in Top Hat is being evaluated after complaints it’s dangerous … Bumpy spot on outside lane of eastbound 107th by Taco Bell – it’s been determined it needs some work and it will be taken care of … Bumpy spot at 4th/116th is “actually in Burien” so that city’s appropriate department has been notified … Permanent puddle at 4th/108th: It’s been evaluated and appears to be a water-main leak, so Seattle Public Utilities has been notified (one attendee said they already knew about it) … Those were all previously surfaced issues; some new ones came up too, including a ditch problem at 3rd/110th, 15th/98th damage, 16th/107th has a sidewalk problem with a “cutout” … These will all be looked at, the Local Services team promised. … Another attendee brought up a traffic problem on their street, 17th SW “right off 16th, 100th to 104th” … NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin noted that big tractor-trailers are parking in that area and causing a hazard too. The rechannelization of 16th could complicate matters, it was observed. … David Daw from Local Services said he’d try to get a Roads rep to come to the next NHUAC meeting to hear/talk about some of these situations firsthand.

What about the kiosk situation? asked NHUAC’s Pat Price. After a recent survey, they’re working on design, the county reps replied. Nothing to show yet. But otherwise it’s all dependent on budget; $100,000 was requested in King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s budget proposal … Price asked about road dumping; notify the county, was the reply.

Then Daw mentioned that it has been determined Tim’s Tavern “can’t operate the way they’re operating now” with outdoor music and an “unpermitted structure.” They should have received a letter notifying them to stop, but “they do have the ability to appeal to the King County Hearing Examiner,” he said. If an appeal fails, then they face a permit every time they get caught violating the rules. “The current use is not allowed” – an outdoor venue – repeated Daw. Who’s dealing with it right now? The hearing examiner will hear it soon, Daw added. … There was also some discussion of the recent block party, which was advertised as “until 2 am” though permitted (for the street closure) for midnight – the 2 am was just a reference to the establishments’ hours, it was clarified.

So what about the 16th SW project? “Moving forward as designed,” said Daw, with the bicycle lanes. Is White Center Food Bank OK with it? Yes, they’re gaining spaces, replied Daw … What about the King County Comprehensive Plan, with a final hearing coming up November 19th? asked the same attendee. It’s been discussed before, said Dobkin.

Daw also had a reminder for business owners: Unincorporated King County’s minimum wage will be $20.29 starting on January 1st. He also mentioned community grants are open for applications until mid-December, and that participatory budgeting voting wrapped up, and the winners will be announced on November 11th – next Monday. “White Center turned out!” he said, with more than 2,500 votes cast.

LIQUOR/CANNABIS BOARD REP: They have pulled some stings recently, sending in an underage person to try to make purchases. No big headlines from that. But if you have a particular concern with a retailer, contact the board (look for agent Eric Thomas, whose turf is from south of Roxbury to SeaTac). Any word on the Unicorn Bar? No liquor-license application yet, Thomas said. … Any update on the ex-KFC building or the ex-Chase Bank? No one had any intel.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: 4:30 pm next Tuesday (November 12), there’s a pet-painting party at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) … Also at the library, the White Center Library Guild‘s Holiday Bazaar happens November 15-16 … The White Center Kiwanis Club‘s nut sales are under way again, $25 per box …

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC usually meets first Thursdays, 7 pm, now in-person at NH Fire Station (1243 SW 112th). (They’ll be taking January off, said Giba.)

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