White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Still a few notes to take care of from last Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting. First – King County Sheriff’s Captain Carl Cole’s briefing on area crime, including a recap of the busted-up burglary that drew regional media to the area (including helicopters) last Tuesday.

The biggest point from Captain Cole: “The crime rate in White Center the last few years has gone down dramatically.” This point has been made before, but hearing it again had new meaning for some of the people most closely involved in the issue of potential northern North Highline annexation, as claims of WC crime woes have come up at recent public hearings. One success cited by the captain – “The gang unit has saturated the area on Friday and Saturday nights.” For March overall, he said, most of the crime in the unincorporated area was gang-related, but it was an “excellent month” overall.

Also, he noted that White Center storefront Deputy Jeff Hancock is back on patrol for a few months because of some staffing challenges – including the annexation that took effect the day of the NHUAC meeting: “As of today, seven deputies are now Burien police officers,” he noted. He says KCSO is reorganizing its precincts this summer to deal with challenges; when that takes effect July 1st, he says, Deputy Hancock (and the two other KCSO storefront officers who also have been moved temporarily to patrol) will be back to his regular role.

Now, on to the recap of the Tuesday burglary arrests – we’ll do our best to transcribe the story as the captain told it, quite energetically at that: Read the rest of this entry »

King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart now confirms what was happening a little while ago in the Salmon Creek vicinity (leading to a school lockdown for a while, now over) – deputies were chasing someone who ran from a stolen car. Sgt. Urquhart says the suspect was caught.

That’s tonight’s late update from KING 5 News, which reports that three suspects are now in custody in connection with the burglary that led to a wild, chopper-enhanced, roadblock-requiring search in White Center today. As you’ll see in the video, the victim says the alleged burglars picked the wrong people to mess with. After one arrest in WC, as we reported in our earlier story, the other two arrests were made at a South Seattle motel. We’ll check tomorrow for more information on the suspects and the charges they face.

ORIGINAL 11:35 AM REPORT: We’re at the scene of a big police operation in White Center – centered in the 10700 block of 18th SW. Law enforcement and TV helicopters are there too. This started as a call about a woman with a shotgun more than an hour ago. Seattle Police are assisting King County Sheriff’s deputies in closing off roads around the area. More to come. 12:02 PM UPDATE: We’ve spoken at the scene with Sgt. John Urquhart from King County Sheriff’s Office. He says the reported gun-toting woman person is one of three suspects they’re seeking after residents came home to find a burglary in progress. The residents weren’t hurt, but the burglars fled, and that’s why there’s been such an extensive search around the area. 12:59 PM UPDATE: Adding our video of Sgt. Urquhart’s media briefing (complete with background noise from the chopper/s). He says one of the three suspects HAS been caught.

Notes from last night’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting at the WC DSHS office: King County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hancock told the group he’ll be out working temporarily as a patrol officer to deal with a KCSO short-term staffing gap, but WC remains his primary duty. For Seattle Police, Community Police Team Officer Jill Vanskike didn’t have updated crime stats overall but said there was some good news for the West Seattle side of the line – a burglary arrest in Highland Park seems to have a put a stop to a spree of break-ins and car prowls; the suspect can’t make bail and remains in jail awaiting trial. … The State Liquor Control Board plans emphasis patrols at local bars and stores soon; a nighttime bar check earlier this year, the group was told, turned up a few problems in Burien but none in White Center (both communities are in the same territory for enforcement officers) … White Center Chamber of Commerce president Mark Ufkes made flyers available for an event coming up March 31, a White Center Business District Forum co-sponsored by the Chamber and the WC Community Development Association, addressing “Options for Managing Homeless, Chronic Alcoholics in White Center,” 6:30 pm. at Triangle Pub … The WCCSC, which has been operating as an all-volunteer, no-staff group for several months now after its funding grant for staff ran out, talked about its focus and organization. Co-chairs Sean Healy and Angela Rambo want group members to consider whether its purpose is more advocacy-oriented, or more information-oriented. No conclusion was reached, so more discussions is ahead … The coalition meets at 6 pm on the fourth Thursday of each month, so its next meeting is scheduled for April 22.

Chair Sean Healy has just sent around the reminder – this Thursday is the next monthly meeting of the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition, a great way to learn about crime trends and efforts to make the community safer. The meeting’s at 6 pm, DSHS White Center, 9650 15th Avenue SW, 2nd floor (Sycamore Room).

By Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for White Center Now

Deputy Gerald Meyer of the King County Sheriff’s Office opened tonight’s White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting with an update on recent crime trends, reporting “a pretty good month without a lot of crime.”

“There were no homicides, shootings, stabbings, armed robberies, bank robberies, home invasion robberies, kidnappings, rapes, or carjackings in King County’s Weed and Seed zone of White Center,” according to the printed report distributed to attendees at tonight’s meeting.

From the city side, Officer Kevin McDaniel of the Southwest Precinct Community Police Team echoed Meyer’s sentiments, reporting that “burglaries are down significantly,” citing a high-profile arrest that took place on the West Seattle Bridge, believed to have taken a prolific burglary suspect out of circulation.

Beyond that, McDaniel reported five robberies last month, three of which took place on the street, prompting him to encourage residents to remain cautious when walking in the area and taking steps to avoid any people who may appear suspicious. He also said there was a recent increase in auto thefts, which seem to be primarily targeting Hondas to be taken out for joyrides.

According to Meyer, there has also been a recent focus on suppression of gang activity in the downtown White Center area, particularly on Saturday nights, which have traditionally seen the most problems.

One successful result of the Saturday night efforts came when Meyer and another officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by several known gang members, who were ultimately taken into custody upon the discovery of a pair of handguns.

“We will never know for sure what this arrest stopped from happening. This stop and arrest may have saved lives and for sure made our community a safer place.”

Meyer’s message for the group was simple: “Whenever you see something suspicious, call.”

Coalition members raised concerns about recent increases in graffiti around the area. Once member had even taken a photo of a particular ‘tag’ he’d been seeing around and showed it to the officers in attendance.

Detective Aaron Thompson, who works on the gang unit of the King County Sherriff’s Office, explained that gang-related graffiti can be differentiated from that of “taggers” in that the work of a tagger, who is likely trying to build their own notoriety by putting their “tags” in highly visible places, tends to use a lot of curves and “artistic” elements in how they write, whereas a gang “tag” tends to be a little more basic and is meant to be an indicator of claimed territory.

Meyer emphasized that citizens who find new graffiti should call the Sheriff’s Office to report it so it can be documented before any action is taken to remove or obscure it.

A reminder – the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meets in two nights, since it’s the fourth Thursday! 6-8 pm, DSHS building at 9650 15th SW (map). You can expect to hear from King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle Police reps as well as the group’s volunteer leadership – be ready to hear about and talk about what’s up in your neighborhood.

Heard about this via Twitter (where you can follow WCN at @whitecenternow) and got the details in e-mail from Hang Around Bar and Grill (formerly The Wall, as reported here recently) owner Joe (who says he’s retired NYPD):

My place was burglarized on Sunday after closing by possible known suspects who entered by the front dorr with a key and exited through the back door, taking the POS system, took 15 bottles of closed liquor (top shelf), opened the safe knowing the combination and removed over $4000.00 in cash that was to be deposited on Monday.

The machines (games) were never touched and the DJ equipment still intact.They knew exactly where the DVR1 video camera recorder was and took that as well. Detectives are now handling this from the King County Sheriff. Street Cops are also doing their job on locating these criminals. We lost over $14,000.00 in equipment, merchandise and cash.

The rent $$$ was in that deposit as well. we are trying to recover but as you might know, we just opened and is struggling as it is. We wanted the neighbors to come in and play darts, pool, play music, Dance, drink and just have a great time on Friday as we would call it a recovery party. I figure i can try to get cash to recover from this somehow. I can provide food if need be. This really hurt us mentally, physically and emotionally. We all know in White Center who is the culprit. The police WILL take care of this forthwith! … ~Joe & Glennis

Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officers Adonis Topacio and Jill Vanskike were both at the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting Thursday night to pass the baton, in a way. She’s taking over the CPT work in the precinct’s southeastern turf; he’s moving to the west. With them, but not pictured, was Lt. Norm James, who also is in a new role at the precinct, that of Operations Lieutenant, since Lt. Steve Paulsen is transitioning to the West Precinct downtown. As we’ve reported on partner site West Seattle Blog, Lt. James has been with the precinct for several years, so he knows the area and the issues. He also introduced John McGoodwin, who’s taking over as SW Precinct city attorney liaison since Beth Gappert has moved to Vice.

All those introductions took up most of the discussion involving the Seattle side of the Community Safety Coalition’s turf, aside from a few items that also came up last night when Officer Topacio was at the Highland Park Action Committee meeting – including graffiti in Highland Park (last night’s questions involved 12th SW between 8200 and 8400).

Officer Topacio was asked about an e-mail going around from a West Seattle burglary victim claiming police were trying to catch a gang of teen burglars that was striking multiple times each day; he pointed the inquirer to our WSB story debunking that part of the tale.

On the King County Sheriff’s Office side of the line, Deputy Jeff Hancock was late to the meeting – said he’d been in a foot chase with someone wanted by the state Department of Corrections; the suspect was caught after running into Brewsky’s in downtown White Center. The only other update he offered was that “person-to-person” robberies are way up over this time last year, and no one yet knows why.

The rest of the meeting focused on a presentation about the Strength of Place Village affordable-housing project, 30 units planned for 13th SW/SW 100th (right behind Big Al Brewing). Architects Roger Tucker and Vlad Oustimovitch, with Kate Stineback from project overseers Capitol Hill Housing, gave a presentation and answered questions. We first reported plans for the project on WSB more than two years ago; according to a handout circulated at last night’s meeting, they’re hoping to break ground on the 30-apartment project this June, wiht the first families moving in a year later.

White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meets at 6 pm the fourth Thursday of the month, now at DSHS offices, 9650 15th SW.

In King County Superior Court on Monday, 8 years was the sentence for a White Center man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his wheelchair-using girlfriend – who died after he hit her. The full story’s at seattlepi.com.

White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition chair Sean Healy sends a reminder of the group’s next meeting – coming up in less than a week. As his note points out, the group’s gone through some changes; no official Seattle Neighborhood Group staffers now, so it’s entirely volunteer-run – executive committee members Healy, Angela Rambo and Barbara Liberache are in charge. The meeting location is new, too – instead of St. James Place, you’ll find the coalition at DSHS offices, 9650 15th SW (map). Regular meeting time/location remains 6 pm, fourth Thursday of the month – that’s next Thursday 1/28, and everybody’s welcome.

Some have asked about this case, since it happened just south of White Center – two teenagers shot last night. Turns out to have been a case of murder/attempted suicide – with two 16-year-olds involved. Here’s a news release just sent by KCSO:

King County Deputies responded to a double shooting last night at an apartment complex located at 12445 Ambaum Blvd SW [map]. When deputies arrived at 9.30 PM they found a juvenile male and a juvenile female both suffering gunshot wounds. The female later died from her wounds and the male is being treated in hospital for what appears to be a serious but non life threatening gunshot wound. At this time detectives are continuing their enquiries. The preliminary investigation indicates the juvenile male shot the female and likely shot himself; however, detectives have not had the opportunity to interview him. He is under police guard at hospital while the investigation continues.

This also is being covered by our partners at the Seattle Times, who reported the victims’ ages.

They usually meet late in the month, but since that doesn’t work well around Thanksgiving/Christmas time, the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition is meeting tonight at 6 pm, at a different location than usual – Wiley Center at Greenbridge, 9800 8th SW, Room 104 (map). The meeting announcement notes that the “room is on the southwest corner of the building; it faces the Greenbridge plaza open space.”

That video clip includes tonight’s KING5 update on the search for the hit-run driver who crashed into Jeff Kearney near the 16th SW Albertson’s store, and just took off, leaving him lying in the street. We first covered the crash that night; this followup story has all the info on how to share information with authorities.

Two violins were stolen from a patron at Cafe Rozella.  They are not super-valuable but have great sentimental value for the owner.  If you see someone “odd” carrying or trying to peddle them please call Mike at (206) 767-4222.  It has been reported to the Seattle Police which may also be contacted at Incident Number #09-406085 Patrol M. Waters 206-733-9800, so Pawn Shops should not accept them.   Help if you can.  Owner is distraught.  More details to come.

Thanks to tipster Mona for sending word that somebody had been hit while crossing 16th SW near the Albertson’s store; traffic is a mess there while King County Sheriff’s Deputies investigate what they tell us is an apparent hit-and-run crash. One man was hurt and is being taken to the hospital. No description so far of the suspected hit-and-run vehicle – investigators are trying to sort out what happened – but traffic is likely to be troublesome in that area for a while.

Crime/safety concerns? This is the meeting not to miss – one week from tonight. Here’s the draft agenda just made public today:

The White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition Meeting
Thursday, October 22, 6-8 pm,
St. James Place, 9421 18th Avenue SW

6:00-6:10 Welcome, introductions
6:10-6:25 Police Reports – KCSO and SPD
6:25-6:50 Collaborative Actions (formerly Crime & Nuisance Hotspots)
7:00-7:40 Guest Trainer: Nancy Amidei, “Influencing legislative change: WE can make a difference!
7:40-7:50 Announcements
7:50-8:00 Open Forum

From Sgt. John Urquhart at King County Sheriff’s Office:

A 41 year-old woman shot her 55 year-old boyfriend at least twice with a handgun last night (October 1st). He was taken to Harborview Hospital with non life- threatening injuries.

The incident occurred about 10:30 PM in the 800 block of SW 117th in unincorporated King County, just to the north of Burien.

The pair live with the man’s brother and the woman’s 15 year-old son, both of whom were home at the time of the shooting.

The son called 9-1-1 and everyone except the suspect made their way out of the house as deputies arrived.

The woman refused to come out of the house or communicate with deputies. Eventually the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team entered the residence and took the woman into custody just before 2:00 AM. No one was injured.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault 1st Degree. A small caliber handgun was recovered inside the house.

The King County Council‘s budget committee has just begun its first public meeting specifically to talk about next year’s budget, and one of those who will testify is Sheriff Sue Rahr. According to her spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart, her talking points will include a contention that County Executive Kurt Triplett‘s budget proposal is not as rosy for her department as it sounds – she says it will cut patrol power in areas like White Center and Boulevard Park by as much as 75 percent. You can watch the testimony live right now through the Council’s online player. (Along with Rahr, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg and other criminal-justice leaders are presenting.) UPDATE: “The budget, as presented, is not what it seems. It does not shield public safety,” Sheriff Rahr has told the council in opening remarks that she described as “short and sweet.” She says the budget, for example, overcompensates for the Burien annexation of south North Highline and would leave her with one deputy per shift in White Center. ADDED 1:12 PM: Sgt. Urquhart has provided the full text of Sheriff Rahr’s remarks to the committee:

The budget, as presented, isn’t what it seems.

It does not “prioritize” public safety.

It does not “shield criminal justice”.

It does not only cut “criminal justice by 1%”.

The Sheriff’s Office unincorporated budget alone will be cut by almost 6%.

A $3.5 million dollar cut is attributed to the Burien annexation. The appropriate reduction due to workload for the annexed area is only seven deputies. However this budget proposes cutting an additional 27 deputies due to the annexation.

From which unincorporated neighborhoods should those additional 27 deputies be cut?

After the seven deputies are cut from the new annexation area, there will only be 38 left to serve all of White Center, Skyway, South Park, Boulevard Park, and Vashon Island. From that small pool I should cut 27 deputies, a 75% cut in police protection to the highest crime neighborhoods in King County? That’s would leave enough to maintain one deputy per shift to cover all of White Center and Boulevard Park, one deputy in Skyway, no deputies on Vashon island, and no storefront deputies.

If that’s not acceptable, which neighborhood in north and east King County should pay for this annexation with a reduction in their police service?

For the record, we were already forced to cut 86 positions in the last year and half, most of those deputy positions. This will put us up to 113 cuts in less than two years.

Enough about the cuts…let’s talk about what appear to be adds to my budget.

The budget proposal transfers 34 civilian security screeners from the Facilities Management Division to the Sheriff’s Office, along with $2.1 million to pay for them.

This transfer includes no money for supervision of these 34 screeners. They will be supervised by the two court security sergeants who already supervise 30 marshals and court deputies. This proposed budget would have the same two sergeants supervising 64 people in thirteen different locations. These are employees who provide a critical service for the safety of everyone entering a courthouse in King County.

In addition, this budget provides no monies to train the screeners, insufficient overtime funds, and over $100,000 in negative contras.

This $2.1 million “increase” to our budget masks the real cuts to public safety and makes it appear that the Sheriff’s Office isn’t being cut as much as it really is.

Bottom line, I will not take the screeners into the Sheriff’s Office and accept responsibility for a service that cannot be operated safely.

In summary, this budget cuts the Sheriff’s Office for unincorporated King County by $4.1 million, or nearly 6%. This is unsafe and it’s unacceptable, especially in light of several recent surveys that show overwhelmingly that public safety is the number one priority for the citizens of King County.”