White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Story and photo by Karen Berge
Reporting for White Center Now

The White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition held their final meeting for the year last night in the White Center DSHS building. This gathering was a mixture of fun as well as business, as the group organizers wanted to celebrate “a year well-spent” with a potluck. Attendees included 15 adults and a handful of well-behaved young children.

Co-chair Sean Healy opened the business portion of meeting shortly after 6 p.m. with a round of introductions and a few remarks. He noted that there were no representatives from the King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle Police Department at the meeting as there have been in the past. It’s not clear if members of KCSO will be able to attend future meetings because of budget cuts; he said they do expect and hope to have representatives from SPD on hand at upcoming meetings.

Next, Pat Price, from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council briefed the group on a “Teens Against Drug Abuse” event she attended in High Point last month. She participated in a roundtable discussion about prescription drug use, a problem with growing prevalence and impact; their conclusion is that “Take Back Our Meds” programs are a huge step toward reducing the problem and could be implemented here. A one-day take-back collection effort recently resulted in more than 1300 pounds of drugs being collected. Price proposed inviting one of the speakers from the King County Hazardous Waste Division to present at a future meeting of this group; there was unanimous interest in having her pursue that. The group also touched briefly on whether they could establish a permanent take-back drop-off location in one of the local stores.

Moving on to other potential meeting topics, the WCSDCSC has received e-mail from the Technical Access Foundation . They want to present their plans to the group for a new 3-story facility near Hicks Lake. They have a well-established after-school program and have been fundraising and planning for a new building for several years; they plan groundbreaking sometime in the spring. One attendee asked how this fit in to WCSDCSC; Sean Healy replied, “Promotion and advocacy is how we tie in.”

Other Announcements

· Healy also mentioned to the group that he is helping establish a Block Watch group on 12th Ave SW near Mount View. He added, “They feel like they’re being held captive,” so he wants to see them get started.

· Healy announced that the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition is now on Facebook; he urged those at the meeting to send a friend request.

· Dick Thurnau, with Friends of Hicks Lake, updated the group on his plan to approach the King County Council to take action on contamination levels in the lake. He noted that this is an ongoing issue, a danger to the community. Thurnau plans to meet with new County Councilmember Joe McDermott. He asked the group if they would attend the presentation to the Council (a date has not yet been set). By show of hands, the group agreed.

· One member asked about “a strategy to build the populace of this coalition”; in the discussion that followed, Sean Healy mentioned that he had talked with a Girl Scout troop leader about conducting a community assessment of the youth; “What do they see?” and “What do they want to see?” Someone followed with the suggestion of trying to obtain a grant that could focus on generating more participation from youth.

Following up on topics from earlier meetings:

· Liquor license renewals – the announcement that Center Market chose not to renew their license received a round of applause at the meeting. However, there are still issues with chronic inebriates hanging out at the Chevron station next door…

· Liquor signage regulations – they discussed supporting and thanking the businesses that do follow the regulations and bringing pressure to bear on businesses that don’t.

· Enforcement of drinking in parks – Dick Thurnau reiterated some of the problems in Lakewood Park; “YouTube them” was one suggestion in reply. Someone else added a word about budget cuts.

· Club Evo – Pat Price said that the Sheriff has run some quick stats and noted a 40% drop in police calls since it’s been closed.

New business: Co-chair Angela Rambo had two items of note:

· A focus group recently surveyed White Center families what they needed; they plan to send Rambo the final results, but the preliminary report is that these “are doable needs, very small things”.

· Angela Rambo has e-mailed both Starbucks and Tully’s to suggest that they consider opening a new location on the northwest corner of 16th and Roxbury. To date, Starbucks has acknowledged her email, but Tully’s has not. Rambo hopes that others will echo that request to show these companies that there is strong community support.

The business portion of the meeting wrapped up around 7 p.m. with an invitation to stay afterward, socialize and have a bite to eat.

The White Center Community Safety Coalition generally meets on the 4th Thursday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m., in the DSHS building at 9650 15th Ave SW in the second floor lobby. This meeting wrapped up their first year in this venue; they plan to reconvene there on January 27th.

An update on this morning’s lockdown at local schools during a search for a possible gun on campus. King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. John Urquhart just sent word that it was determined to be a hoax, and a student was arrested:

A series of hoax calls to the Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 center about a gun seen in the school put Evergreen High School and the adjacent Cascade Middle School into lockdown mode this morning. The schools are at SW 116th St. and 8th Ave SW in White Center.

The first call came in at 9:33 AM. The voice on the phone said there was an AK-47 in a locker at the school, and “We need help quickly”. A total of five calls with variations on that theme came in.

The school was placed in lockdown and about 20 deputies and detectives arrived to block off access and search both schools. A K-9 dog that can sniff-out weapons was brought in to check lockers. Nothing was found.

The lockdown was lifted about 10:30 AM.

Detectives were able to track the cell phone to a student in the school. He was called out of his class and arrested. His cell phone was seized. The student is 15 years old.

The boy was booked into the Youth Center on a threats charge.

It’s what you don’t see in that photo that’s more noteworthy than what you do see. Gill shared photos after noticing that the graffiti vandalism east of the stairs around the 98th Street Corridor-area pond is gone, as is the graffiti on the nearby stone wall.

However, one eyesore remains (we’ve blurred the tag as per our policy):

The graffiti vandalism was a lingering problem after some repairs had been done on other damage nearby so that the corridor could be reopened to walkers (here’s our report from three weeks ago, also courtesy of Gill).

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for White Center Now

We stopped by the White Center DSHS offices for Thursday night’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting, where about 20 attendees gathered to discuss neighborhood safety issues, liquor and crime enforcement, and policies for reporting “problem properties” in the WC community.

The meeting was led by WCSDCSC chair Sean Healy and was called to order shortly after 6 pm.

Three upcoming events, mentioned by attendees:

• North Highline Unincorporated Area Council: Next meeting Thursday November 4^th from 7-9 pm at the North Highline Fire Station, 1243 SW 112th St. (map).
• Landlord Training Workshop: Keeping Your Property Safe & Crime-Free: Held by the Seattle Neighborhood Group
  on Monday November 15th from 8:30am-4:30pm, at 2100 24th Ave South. Cost is $25/person, register online at the SNG website.
• South Seattle Drug Free Communities Coalition Meeting: “Come join efforts in High Point to create a safe and healthy community that supports youth and prevents drug, alcohol and tobacco use.” Held on Thursday November 18^th from 3:45-5:45pm at High Point Neighborhood House, 6400 Sylvan Way SW.

First on the agenda for the evening was Lt. Woodrow Perkins from the Liquor Control Board, who reported on two active cases his team is working on:

• Center Market: Perkins reported that the store’s current liquor license expires Oct. 31st (this weekend), and that he hasn’t heard from the owner if they definitely plan to renew. The store had been selling liquor under two temporary permits recently, and had been subject to a suspension.
• Evo (aka Club Evolution): With complaints about Evo dating back to 2002, Perkins reported that his team had made a visit to the club and found they were serving alcohol, which they “confiscated and destroyed in large quantities.” Perkins’ team is doing additional follow-up now (and on a similar club in another location), and is planning to file a report with the King County Prosecutor’s Office with the recommendation that 2 individuals involved would be criminally cited.

This segued into a discussion about alcohol and tobacco advertising in the area, with comments from Perkins as well as Mike Graham-Squire (pictured below, with a poster showing his group’s efforts) from High Point Neighborhood House. Squire led a project this past summer to visit businesses in the 98126 and 98106 area codes to evaluate their compliance with the Liquor Control Board’s new alcohol advertising restrictions adopted statewide earlier this year.

A summary of what the rules entail:

Limiting to four the number of signs advertising alcohol, brand names and manufacturers that are visible from the outside of a retail licensed premises such as stores, bars and restaurants;

Restricting the size of alcohol signs visible from the outside of a retail licensed premises to 1,600 square inches; and

Applying the rules to signs at civic events where alcohol is served, such as beer gardens.

Graham-Squire told meeting attendees that his group found a “high concentration of violations around White Center,” which prompted nods around the room and comments like “that’s not surprising.” He added that his group is planning to do a similar effort again, including giving awards to businesses that go above-and-beyond to limit alcohol advertising. He also said he’s involved with the state’s new Let’s Draw The Line campaign against underage drinking, and encouraged anyone interested in helping to contact him.

Perkins said citizens who notice violations to the advertising rules are encouraged to report them to the project hotline – 888-838-3956 – and “we’ll go visit them.” He did note that his enforcement team is “spread pretty thin” with 4 officers working 8 areas, each covering 500-600 locations, but tries to respond as best they can.  His team uses a “progressive discipline” approach for enforcement, moving from verbal/on-site warnings up to legal action.

Perkins also talked about the city’s Good Neighbor policy, targeting individual businesses selling alcoholic beverages, and listened to concerns from attendees about the rising consumption of energy drinks with high alcoholic content. Local residents reported seeing a huge increase in discarded containers of these “crazy beverages,” which Graham-Squire said  “are the equivalent of 6 beers and 5 cups of coffee in a single 24-ounce can, for $3.”  Perkins acknowledged the issues with the drinks, but said the LCB isn’t in a position to really target them — banning them would require state or federal legislative action.

Next on the agenda was the evening’s guest speaker, Kay Godefroy, executive director of the Seattle Neighborhood Group, who offered tips and strategies for dealing with “problem properties” and “nuisance issues” in the area’s residential neighborhoods. Godefroy encouraged neighbors to gather documentation like photographs and detailed log books (but be safe collecting the information) about any problems you see.

“It’s all about gathering good documentation, getting good detail, and having lots of neighbors do it,” she said. “If we can all help create safe livable residential communities, with no drug dealers or problem neighbors, it makes us all safe.”

Godefroy said the small-claims court system (or rather, the mere threat of small-claims) is an effective way to put pressure on problem neighbors, but “it clearly works best when there are many neighbors co-signing a strongly-worded letter about the problem, not just one signer.” In most cases, she said, the issue never even has to go to court, and the neighbor voluntarily moves toward compliance if 10-15 neighbors manage to co-sign and file a complaint. “You have to be ‘noisy’ and stand up for yourselves,” she said.

Godefroy also emphasized education of property owners, using her group’s Landlord Training Workshops as an example of how they’re trying to keep people informed. The hardest situations, Godefroy said, are single-family properties that are owner-occupied, particularly by someone who may be “2nd or 3rd generation of a family, they inherited the property and just don’t value it.”

When asked by an attendee if renters have the same rights, Godefroy said yes — you can file complaints with the landlord on behalf of multiple residents. In all cases, the idea is to get a letter together — that way, if the issue does go to court, the recipient “can’t say they didn’t know about the problem, they can only say they chose not to address it.”

When asked about how this extends to businesses that may not be cracking down on troublesome activity on their property, Godefroy clarified the difference between criminal activity and “nuisance activity.” If you see a crime happening, report it to 911 and the local authorities immediately. She said it’s good to also document such reports, for the future.

“It’s amazing what a business can do, to help the problem,” she said, saying there are businesses in White Center that had “people outside doing bad things, and got them to stop or to move somewhere else.”

Next meeting: Because of holidays in November and December, the group will hold a single meeting to cover the rest of 2010: It will be on Thursday December 9^th, at the DSHS offices at 6 pm.

From the official announcement:

The White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition Meeting will be this Thursday, October 28th, from 6-8 pm. We will be meeting at the DSHS building located at 9650 15th Ave SW in the lobby on the second floor.

This month, our guest speaker will be Kay Godefroy from the Seattle Neighborhood Group. She will be sharing information on ways to address concerns about problem or nusiance houses in your neighborhood. With daylight savings quickly approaching and the change in weather, the resources and information from this meeting are sure to be an asset.

Just in case you are wondering what’s going on and why traffic is blocked on westbound Roxbury around 14th SW – there has been a multiple shooting incident, with four people reported dead according to scanner traffic (though police have not yet formally confirmed that), at 14th and Cambridge, just north of Roxbury. We are posting continuing coverage at partner site West Seattle Blog.

After a couple reports today about a large King County Sheriff’s Office presence in downtown White Center last night, possibly related to a shooting at or near Club Evo, we contacted KCSO’s media liaison Sgt. John Urquhart – and here’s what he tells us: Just before midnight last night, “a very large group of people (was) in the street (100+) and many of them (were) fighting. A gun came out and several shots (were) fired. One of our deputies on the scene saw the man firing and ran him down. (The suspect was) arrested and booked. One handgun was recovered. Much of this was gang related.” Sgt. Urquhart says an 18-year-old was reportedly shot but not seriously hurt, “since he refused treatment and was not transported. ” The suspect, he says, is also 18.

Just in from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

Sheriff’s detectives are looking for help from the public to solve a 2001 homicide. The crime occurred on August 28, 2001, exactly nine years ago tomorrow.

➢ Specifically, they at least hope to find the White Center house where the suspect took the victim and her sister prior to fatally shooting one of them on a street corner.

Case History: Crystal Vaughn (above; age 29 at the time) and her sister Misty were drinking beer at a bus top in White Center when they were contacted by the suspect. They went back to the suspect’s house for a drink. An argument ensued and the sisters were driven back to the area of SW 101st and 15th Ave SW.

The argument continued between the suspect and Crystal. The sisters were out of the man’s car and walking away when he pulled up next to them and shot Crystal three times. She died at the scene.

Suspect’s Residence: The house was about a mile or so away from where the women were first approached, generally in the area of the 3700 block of SW 106th, unincorporated King County in the White Center neighborhood.

➢ See attached drawings of the interior of the house (above).

The women were asked to remove their shoes when they came in. The man said his “niece was sleeping” and to they had to be quiet. The interior of the house was neat and tidy, and there were children’s toys in the house.

There was a large stereo and a CD collection, as well as a free standing stove or fireplace in the living room. The women were served brandy to drink.

Suspect Description: A black male about 27 to 35 years old (above). He was “big” and 6’ to 6” 3” tall. He smoked Marlboro Red cigarettes.

Vehicle: A black or possible dark green SUV, similar to a Chev Tahoe (above). There was a dolphin display on the stereo face. The front seat might have been a “bench seat” and the seats were possibly leather.

The public can also view the drawings on our web site beginning this afternoon.

Anyone with information, especially on the house, is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.

2:43 PM UPDATE: Here’s the webpage on which KCSO has posted all its imagery and info in the case.

With a home-invasion robbery in Highland Park, and new developments reported in the Evo situation, there’s bound to be lots to discuss at tonight’s White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting, 6-8 pm at the DSHS building, 9650 15th Ave SW (map), lobby on the second floor. King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle Police Department reps are usually both on hand, as well as the Liquor Control Board, so there are many authorities with whom you can take up concerns directly.

If you haven’t already seen it on partner site West Seattle Blog – here’s what we found out from King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jim Laing today. Toplines: Only person hurt was the suspect/driver. Three patrol cars damaged; three civilian cars damaged.

(Photos courtesy Gill, added Saturday night)
News release received this afternoon from King County:

Vandals cause unsafe conditions, force White Center SW 98th Street Corridor closure
 
A recently completed pedestrian corridor connecting new homes and a growing commercial area in the White Center neighborhood has been so badly vandalized that King County must close it for safety reasons.
 

Vandals ripped out the stainless steel railing and knocked out lights along the 98th Street Corridor, which was just opened in mid July. The corridor’s steep stairway is unsafe for use at night without the lights and handrails, however the ADA-accessible ramp that runs through the corridor remains open. The area was also vandalized with graffiti.
 
The 98th Street Corridor sits between the new Greenbridge community and the Central Business District along Southwest 98th Street. The corridor was developed as a result of the Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality and Health Study, which found that people who live in walkable communities are healthier.
 
King County collaborated with the White Center Community Development Association on the project. More information is available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/whitecenter.aspx

We broke this story at partner site West Seattle Blog two hours ago, but in case you haven’t heard: King County Sheriff’s Deputies and Seattle Police believe they have solved the recent rampage of smash-and-grab business burglaries; a 50-year-old man was arrested early today. He has not been publicly identified, but a crosscheck of jail and other records shows a 50-year-old man in custody, arrested early this morning for investigation of multiple burglaries, with public records including a Burien address as of several years ago. Investigators say they arrested him “in the Burien area.”

6:12 PM: More than 20 people at tonight’s White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting at the DSHS building in WC – including special guest Aileen Balahadia, executive director of the White Center Community Development Association, along with Vary Jackson from the King County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Precinct’s Lt. Norm James and Community Police Team Officer Jonathan Kiehn. Sean Healy, WCSDCSC chair, is leading the meeting. Updates as we go.

‘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) Read the rest of this entry »

When the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets tonight, as reported earlier, two high-ranking King County Sheriff’s Office leaders are scheduled to appear, and the topic of “who’s responsible for White Center?” is certain to come up. Deputy Jeff Hancock‘s impending departure was first reported here last week, but now there’s a new development – his open letter to the “citizens of White Center,” shared by Village Green Nursery’s Vera Johnson, who is Block Watch captain in her area and concerned about the situation. The letter:

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.

ORIGINAL 6:35 PM REPORT, POSTED AS-IT-HAPPENED: About 20 people are at the White Center DSHS offices for tonight’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting. Early in the meeting, Liquor Control Board Lt. Woodrow Perkins (photo below, background left) has mentioned a special operation coming up in White Center and Burien next month – with up to eight agents working the area checking on compliance.

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).

With the questions about recent incidents including the one discussed further down the page here (a big law-enforcement response early Saturday), plus concerns over the future of White Center’s storefront deputy, should be an interesting meeting of the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition tomorrow night – 6 pm Thursday at the White Center DSHS office.

Via Facebook, Michelle asked us about a major law-enforcement presence on both sides of 16th/Roxbury very early Saturday morning. Haven’t nailed down all the details yet but did get a bit of info courtesy of Seattle Police – the call went out as “shots fired.” No indication thus far that anyone was actually shot, but we’ll be checking with King County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.

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.

From our partners at the Seattle Times: A convicted rapist who hadn’t registered as a sex offender, as the law requires, has been found volunteering with the Evergreen High School football team. The man is now in the King County Jail, the Times reports, and Highline Public Schools says it’s taken back a job offer to the prospective head football coach, who as acting coach should have made sure the volunteer passed a background check; they also say the volunteer had only been to the school twice before he was Full story here.

(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.