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.)

Just in from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

You are Invited to Experience

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard

At the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) Meeting!

When: Thursday, November 7. 2024, at 7 pm

Where: North Highline Fire Station in White Center at 1243 SW 112th Street
(Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

Please join NHUAC’s second in person meeting since 2020! The meeting will take place in the newly remodeled North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center.

Last month’s meeting introduced Leon Richardson, the new Director of King County’s Department of Local Services (DLS). DLS is responsible for providing essential services such as permitting, zoning, code enforcement and road services to North Highline and the other unincorporated areas of King County.

Mr. Richardson said that he would get back to us about several items that were brought up in October. Unfortunately, he has a scheduling conflict with NHUAC’s November7th meeting. However, David Daw, External Relations Director for DLS, will stand in for Leon Richardson. We look forward to hearing from him.

White Center Now: The blog about White Center » Archive » In-person discussion with new Local Services director @ North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s October meeting

The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has also been making some changes in the people who work with Precinct 4, which includes our area. Our last Storefront Deputy, Glen Brannon, was not at October’s meeting because he is no longer assigned to North Highline. This month we will be joined by Captain Chris Przygocki. We’re looking forward to meeting him and learning when we will have a Storefront Deputy and how North Highline will be protected until then.

Do you have questions or something you want to share – perhaps an idea for a future meeting? Come, share and bring a friend!

Knowledge is power. Learn, share and help make our community a better place.

November 7, 2024 at 7 pm

Bring a Neighbor!

Reported by a reader:

I found this dog 10/31/2024 at 112th and 28th Ave SW near Shorewood.

I kept her all day and night, but no one claimed her. I have found someone to foster her while we try to fine her owner. We have a very elderly dog and it will be hard to introduce a new pet.

Based on where she was found I would need to take her to Kent to the Regional Animal Services of King County (206) 296-7387.

(Also posted on partner site West Seattle Blog)

The first big event of the night has 16th SW closed to traffic between Roxbury and SW 100th, as White Center’s “Halloweentown” welcomes trick-or-treaters, among others – actually “trunk or treaters,” with decorated low-rider cars on the west side of the north block:

Go admire the decorated trunks and grab some candy.

Even well before dark, the ghosts and goblins were out marauding.

Individual venues have activities too – travel through the scary-clown inflatable arch at Big Mario’s Pizza/Alpine Diner (WSB sponsors) and you’ll find pumpkins to paint:

More grownup fun is part of the party later in the evening too – Halloweentown is in the spirit until 2 am.

A reader reported 16th SW blocked near 107th this morning. We asked King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deouty Mike Mellis what happened: “It looks like there is an ongoing investigation related to a fatal vehicle vs pedestrian accident in the area. Our Major Accident Response and Reconstruction Unit (MARR Unit) is investigating. I do not have any additional details for release at this time.”

2:37 PM: A 19-year-old woman is in the King County Jail this afternoon for investigation of homicide after another woman was found dead in a White Center apartment. Here’s what King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deputy Mike Mellis tells us:

At 7:15pm on Friday, October 25th, 2024, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a possible homicide having just occurred.

The location was a small apartment building in the 9800 block of 15th Ave SW in the White Center area … Upon arrival, KCSO deputies contacted several individuals and located a deceased adult female inside one of the rooms of the residence. Another adult female was arrested at the scene. The KCSO Major Crimes Unit detectives were called to the scene to take over the investigation. The female suspect was booked into the King County Jail at approximately 1:30 am (this) morning. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the victim’s name, cause of death, and manner of death per their protocols. The King County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case reports and make a filing decision. This case remains an open and active investigation.

If you have any information, the KCSO case # is C24036038.

EVENING UPDATE: The suspect’s bail was set today at $2 million.

7:54 PM: We just got the court document from the bail hearing. Here’s the narrative, with some redactions:

(The suspect) is a tenant residing at the address of 9834 15 Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106; a multitenant structure comprised of separate rooms rented out on a per room basis by the 73-year-old property owner… (suspect) has resided at this location, renting a room for approximately one year.

On 10/25/2024 at 7:15 pm the suspect’s brother-in-law … called the King County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center to report that (she) had told them she had killed someone and had shown (the victim’s) body in a video phone call. …
King County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene. Meanwhile, the King County Sheriff’s Communications Center called (the suspect, who) initially told the call receiver that said she did not do this and that it was all a joke and that she was “all the way in Everett” with ‘a friend’, denying that she had done anything. When she was then asked about the video call she made(, she) responded, “I killed her…not the friend…the one that I showed to my sister.”

The suspect subsequently told detectives that the dispute involved back rent she owned. The brother-in-law said the suspect had been threatening to kill her landlord since last month but they didn’t take her seriously.

The White Center Eagles just sent word of their second annual Trunk or Treat, happening today (Saturday, October 26), at 10452 15th Ave SW: “It is open to the public for all the fun, rain or shine. 1-3 in the parking lot, food will be inside.”

Via a reader tip and Seattle Police regional bulletin, we learn that King County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating an attack on a Metro bus driver. It happened in the past hour or so (after 9 am) at 15th/Roxbury. A reader says it was a northbound RapidRide H Line bus. The bulletin said the attacker broke a glass bottle over the driver’s head. They were described only as a Black man, tall, thin, in a black hoodie. If you have any information on the attack, call 911.

The new Rat City FC soccer club, formerly Cultures United, has announced it’s offering free Saturday night soccer clinics for kids 5-19. Just show up at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd), 5-7 pm.

2:58 PM: It’s Thursday, October 17 – go celebrate Hallo-month at tonight’s Rat City Art Walk, 5-8 pm. Participating locations are listed here.

6:43 PM: Thanks to Susan for sending this photo. We believe it’s from Nepantla in South Delridge:

10:37 PM: A few people have asked why the Guardian One helicopter is over White Center right now. It’s been trying to help bring in a stolen vehicle, detected by a Lojack signal. In this case, the vehicle is occupied and on the move, refusing to stop, and it sounds like deputies don’t plan to pursue it further on the ground, though the helicopter still has eyes on it.

10:43 PM: The driver is reported to have ditched the car in Top Hat and bolted. A ground search is ensuing.

10:55 PM: The area where they’ve been searching is actually northeast White Center, 1st SW & SW 102nd. They’ve just taken someone into custody. The helicopter will be clearing the scene.

5:25 PM: According to an FYI bulletin just circulated on Seattle Police emergency radio, King County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating a shooting. One person is reported injured in the shooting at/near the Saar’s Super Saver Foods grocery store in the 10600 block of 16th SW. Deputies are said to be looking for a suspect described as a Hispanic man in his 20s, 5’7″, short brown hair, black clothing, with a backpack, carrying a black helmet. According to King County emergency radio, the victim is seriously injured with “multiple gunshot wounds.” (Added: Shot four times.) If you have any information, call 911.

5:47 PM: As shown in our photo, the scene appears to be at the car wash north of the store – at least, that’s where the victim was loaded into a medic unit; they’re now on the way to Harborview Medical Center. A possible suspect was found blocks away but we haven’t heard yet whether they’ve been arrested.

We’ll add anything more we find out.

6:31 PM: KCSO says they did take that suspect into custody – no other details, though, regarding the circumstances, the victim, or the suspect.

(WCN photo from 2021 holiday bazaar at White Center Eagles)

Yes, already! First bazaar of the year. Here’s the announcement:

Annual Holiday Bazaar at the White Center Eagles

Saturday, October 19th, 10 am to 4 pm

10452 15th Ave. SW

Handmade items – Art, Jewelry, Accessories, Pottery, and Lunch

We wrote about this initially on our partner site West Seattle Blog because the Guardian One helicopter started its west-side visit over West Seattle, but are making a note here too because of what it then did over White Center: The helicopter crew picked up a Lojack signal around 11 pm Friday, indicating a stolen Jeep Wrangler was somewhere on the ground in north WC. They found it near Holy Family, and circled while deputies approached on the ground. They determined the car was empty, and the helicopter moved on

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for White Center Now

For the first time since pre-COVID, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) met in-person last week for their monthly meeting. This meetup of neighbors was made possible because planned renovations have been completed at North Highline Fire District HQ, which had been the NHUAC group’s long-time meeting venue. 

The meeting was facilitated by NHUAC vice president Barbara Dobkin (at center, below), because president Liz Giba wasn’t able to attend. Dobkin was joined by board members Pat Price, Christine Waldman, Brigitte Vaughn and Amelia Cullinan.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation and Q&A with Leon Richardson, who was recently appointed as the Director of King County’s Department of Local Services. Richardson (at left, in the photo below) was joined at the meeting by fellow county staff Jesse Reynolds (Economic Development Program Manager, at center below) and Bong Santo Domingo (Community Liaison, at right below):

Sto. Domingo has been a fixture at NHUAC meetings and White Center gatherings in the past, and talked about the ongoing importance of civic engagement:

Reynolds encouraged attendees to participate in the team’s “What should downtown White Center look like?” online survey, which is open until the end of October. The survey is part of the White Center Fire Impact Zone (WCFIZ) Community Vision effort, kicked off largely in response to the various 2021 fires in downtown White Center. The goal of the beautification project is to “celebrate diversity and enhance public spaces to create a vibrant, attractive and welcoming area for residents, local businesses, and visitors that reflects White Center’s distinct character.” Reynolds said the results of the survey will help inform county leaders and community designers as options are explored for downtown White Center. 

Richardson, who has held leadership roles for King County since 2019, was appointed to the Local Services director position in July 2024 by King County Executive Dow Constantine. He said that he lives in Federal Way and has been staying busy traveling throughout the county, “from Fall City to Vashon and everywhere else,” meeting with community members and “showing up” to support citizens. Local Services began in 2019 with a mission of providing new and better ways to serve unincorporated King County (which includes North Highline), and the department became responsible for essential services such as zoning, permitting, code enforcement and road services.

Richardson added that earlier that day he had spent time in White Center talking with business leaders such as the owners of Tim’s Tavern (more on Tim’s below), as well as various community members and stakeholders.

Dobkin and the NHUAC board had submitted some questions to Richardson in advance, and Dobkin went through them as Richardson provided summary responses (and said he’d follow-up with the group with more details later), and attendees also asked additional questions throughout:

• Q: Does Local Services advise regarding zoning and codes?
  • A: Yes, Richardson said you can reach out us (206-477-3800 or AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov), and if we don’t know, we’ll try to figure out the answer.  Our goal is to be partners with the community, we are here to help, and can work with you to get the answer.
• Q: How do you work with permitting?
  • A: The director of the permitting division reports to Richardson (who said he also receives a lot of direct calls about permitting). 
• Q: We are very concerned about Tim’s Tavern (the volume of the outdoor music), which has been an ongoing source of frustration since they opened in White Center in April 2023. (editor’s note: see WCN coverage from NHUAC’s June meeting which was attended by county’s permitting director Jim Chan and external-affairs director David Daw). Our viewpoint is that the volume and hours of the music have not changed, and it is our understanding is that Tim’s is now working on a non-conforming permit. We know that our deputies are busy and we don’t want to bother them with noise complaints, but we also don’t want to have to move because of this. It’s negatively impacting our quality of life.  Staff from Tim’s Tavern don’t seem interested in truly fixing the issue. 
  • A. Richardson said he does not know all of the answers or the latest information, but he committed to look into it very closely with his staff, and to get back to the NHUAC group in November with a timeline for getting answers and next-steps for working toward a resolution. He apologized for any misinformation shared by prior staff, and said “we will strive to do better; hearing all of this from you is helpful to me as the ‘new guy.'”  He added that he met with staff at Tim’s Tavern earlier in the day to discuss some of the things he’s heard, and he said that Tim’s acknowledges that they had previously said they’d make some changes that haven’t been done yet, because they’re waiting to see what’s happening with permitting to see if they can keep their music and business going before they make large infrastructure investments.  He said that typical processes are always followed unless a situation “represents a life safety or environmental impact” (upon saying that, several meeting attendees were quick to say that the situation certainly qualifies as a major disruption to life in the neighborhood). 
  • Meeting attendee Erick Thomas, a state liquor inspector, said that he had some familiarity with Tim’s Tavern, and location’s prior business Drunky Two Shoes (WCN coverage here), which also had live music. Thomas said that Tim’s holds essentially the same type of license, but with a different business model — having a band in the outside service area 5-6 nights per week, rather than a couple of nights per month at Drunky Two Shoes. Thomas said their 2024 license was just renewed, and next year will be up for renewal in September 2025 (someone can contest that, no later than 90 days prior for renewal). The state Department of Revenue will typically list the old business as well as the new business.  (one meeting attendee noted that the online parcel viewer still says Drunkys).
  • Attendee: My impression is that the people who run Tim’s don’t want to engage with us, and want to wait things out. At what point would a more forceful legal action be taken?  A: Richardson said his understanding is that Tim’s has been cited twice for noise complaints, they went to court and prevailed in each case (that’s what he has been told, anyway, he said he would take a closer look). He said Tim’s is going through the county’s code enforcement process right now, which involves two aspects: use of the facility, and the structure(s) itself.
  • Dobkin mentioned a potentially related situation with two bars in Covington that had similar issues (over the noise limit with indoor music), but mitigation steps were taken and they aren’t doing it anymore. She added that “I’ve never in 20 years called in a noise complaint. It’s not that we don’t like music. We don’t want to shut them down, we just want them to do the right thing.”
  • Jesse Reynolds (from King Co) said it’s his understanding that Tim’s is currently working on the non-conforming permit, which is based on the structures built by the prior owner (Drunkys), and that per standard process. this is a private hearing.
  • Richardson stressed that it will take him some time to get up to speed on the issue, and he said “in November we will follow-up with information for you.”
• Q: What can we do about dogs barking in the neighborhood in the middle of the night?  A: Richardson said this falls in same realm as noise complaints.   It’s not for Local Services, it’s for the King County Sheriff’s Office. We do partner with that office, though, and if you let us know the issue then we will work with them.
• Q: What about the quality of roads? Several attendees gave example of trouble spots (rough road 107^th on the south side by Taco Bell side, a large divot 116^th crossing 4^th Ave northbound, standing water on 4^th Ave SW just south of 108^th on the east side).   A: Richardson and his staff wrote down notes and said they’d look into it. 
• Q: Is there any way you could help get air conditioning in Greenbridge where the Boys and Girls Club meets? Answer from Sto Domingo: They are their own entity, which reports to the national Boys and Girls Club group, we encouraged them to apply for an “Alan Painter grant” but to my knowledge they haven’t yet.  That’s the best way for them to proceed.
• Q: Dobkin said “there’s a loophole” that has allowed properties in the community to be divided into 2500 sq ft lots, as people leave or pass away, which is “destroying the neighborhood” because many large areas are being paved and developed, with no trees or greenspaces. She said that Jim Chan had previously said he’d look into it.  A: Richardson said he appreciates the feedback and that his team will look into it.  
• Q: Dobkin said “we’re losing walkability in our neighborhood” with a lack of sidewalks, people driving way too fast, etc. Another attendee noted that they’ve repeatedly asked for roundabouts at 17^th Ave SW and 100^th St as well as speed bumps on other streets, but have not had much luck, and said that the county had done some traffic studies indicating that there hasn’t been an increase in traffic “but I can tell you there is.” Other attendees noted that they fear that traffic mitigations in some areas are simply diverting speeders to adjacent streets without really fixing the issue.  Someone commented that “we need actual roundabouts; not like the fake one in front of Arbor Heights Elementary.”  A:  Richardson said some funds had been received from the state for road projects, and that they’d continue to work on things — he and his team made note of the items brought up by attendees. 
  Another attendee said that from a traffic perspective in White Center, “I feel like my head is on a swivel” because “people know that there’s very little enforcement in White Center, so it’s a free for all – I call it ’16^th Ave Raceway.'”  Another attendee said he works as a mailman and has seen traffic issues and speeding first-hand, and that it’s a frequent topic of concern in the postal workers’ meetings at the Westwood post office. 
• Q: Dobkin asked about the new Rapid Ride “H line,” noting that officials had said it would make White Center a better transit hub, but because one of the main stops is next to the now-closed Bartell Drugs store, “it’s dangerous, it’s an open drug market, it’s not safe for anyone to use.” A: Jesse Reynolds confirmed that there have definitely been complaints, that there was a tent city but it’s gone now, and the alley has been an issue (they have a service doing litter pickup).  He put in a plug for the team’s “What should downtown White Center look like?” online survey (open until Oct. 31st) and said his group will also have a booth at the White Center Artwalk on Oct 17th.  Richardson noted that, in general, having police officers available to speak at meetings like NHUAC is beneficial for discussions like this, and he’d do his best to help with that (no officers were able to attend for this night’s meeting). 
• Q: Dobkin asked about graffiti issues. A: Richardson said that his team had been talking to local businesses earlier that day, and that the consensus seems to be that if a business has a mural painted on it then there’s much less likely to be graffiti painted on top of it, but acknowledged that not every business has the resources to commission their own mural (and many businesses don’t own the building in which they operate). An attendee asked about the feasibility of an ordinance saying that any graffiti needs to be removed within a specific amount of time; but some businesses said it would be very burdensome. Alan Painter grants and community needs grants could help, and one attendee mentioned the 4Culture arts organization as a possible source for artists. Some of the graffiti is suspected to be gang-related, claiming territory, which brings unique problems. 
• One attendee said there have been numerous complaints about the new traffic revision on 1st Ave SW south of 108th St., near the church and Axe Kickers, saying that although the changes were meant to help traffic, “it has caused so many near-accidents and constant horn-honking; they should erase and put it back the way it was.”  Richardson’s team made note of the issue. 
• An attendee said that their neighbors are facing a serious challenge in which an elderly person had lived there but recently moved into assisted living, someone else moved in to help, but there has been “questionable activity going on 24/7 for over a year,” and they’ve talked to the county sheriff’s office about it, but don’t have a resolution, although there was recently a very serious issue in which authorities were called to the scene. What can be done as people in our neighborhood are aging and need to leave, and their properties are taken over by others?  Richardson said his team would look into it, and said there is an existing program (he thought it may be associated with the county prosecutor’s office) that he will try to look up and share information about.  Another attendee noted that similar issues happen when houses become completely unoccupied, and overrun with pets and (in some cases) squatters.  Because there are only 5-6 code enforcement officers for all of unincorporated King County, dealing with these issues can often take a while. 
• There was a question from attendees about the status of the “floating islands” which were installed in 2013 in Hicklin Lake (formerly known locally as Hicks Lake) with the intent of helping water quality. County staff said that although the county “went all in” with volunteers on the floating islands, “sadly the water quality hasn’t improved” enough, so they’ll be taking the islands out, but that WALPA (WA State Lake Protection Association) does want to communicate with the community about what’s next. Ideas include a pathway around lake, and other means of improving water quality and keeping the lake clean. 

Richardson noted that he would do his best to continue ramping up quickly on the job, and answering community concerns, but noted that he had some upcoming time off because he also serves in the Army Reserves, and needed to fly back to Washington DC for a commitment. 

Darlene Sellers from King County Parks shared details about events at the White Center Teen Program (open at the “Log Cabin” at Steve Cox Memorial Park every day Tuesday-Saturday. She said they had a successful free soccer tournament recently for 72 kids, a glow-in-the-dark volleyball tournament coming up, and will soon be able to host cooking classes again because they were approved for needed facility renovations. Their big upcoming event is the “Halloween Bash” on Saturday Oct 26th, which will be a free event with separate haunted houses for younger kids and older kids, and White Center Food Bank donations happening.  She said there are more than 100 teens volunteering for various events, across 40 different programs, with great engagement. 

Scott Davis from the Kiwanis Club of White Center also promoted the club’s annual pancake breakfast and silent auction, which will be Saturday Oct. 12th from 8 am-noon at White Center Eagles (10452 15th SW).  Ticket details here, $10/person and free for kids under 5. 

NHUAC meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month, and plans to continue meeting in-person at the North Highline Fire Station in White Center (1243 SW 112th St.)

5:22 PM: Lots of questions earlier about the Guardian One helicopter over White Center/south West Seattle. Most of the ground response was gone by the time we were able to get to WC but archived King County Sheriff’s Office dispatch audio indicates Taboo Video on 16th south of 98th was robbed. Two robbers were described – descriptions broadcast over the air were partial, a Black man about 30, black clothing except for some “bluish” pants, and a white woman about 25, also in black clothing, with unspecified tattoos. They were reported to have escaped with some merchandise but no cash.

7 PM: A little more info from KCSO – the robbers did have a weapon, believed to be a Taser, but apparently did not use it, as investigators report no one was hurt. If you have any inforation, the case # is C24034078.

King County Sheriff’s Office detectives continue investigating last Friday’s holdup at the Domino’s Pizza location at 17th/Roxbury. We received two video clips, showing the robbers arriving and leaving, from a reader whose dashcam recorded this video while they were visiting a neighboring business at the time. It happened around 1:30 pm Friday (October 4). The three robbers are shown arriving and leaving in the blue Hyundai; the passerby also seen in the video was not involved.

KCSO says deputies responded but the robbers had already fled. If you have any information on the holdup, please contact KCSO.

“Participatory budgeting” is back, and your chance to vote is happening right now. Here’s the announcement we received from King County:

Residents and other community members in East Federal Way, East Renton, Fairwood, North Highline/White Center, and Skyway/West Hill are casting their votes this month to choose proposals for King County to fund and/or carry out in their traditionally underserved communities.

This is the county’s second round of Participatory Budgeting, a two-year, community-led process in which residents gather ideas from their neighbors, create proposals from those ideas, and hold a vote to decide which proposals to pay for with county funds. Each community vote takes place both online and in person at pop-up voting events.

Ballots are available in English and several other languages, and multi-lingual community members will be on hand at voting events to help explain the process.

The King County Council has made available a total of $11.8 million to be divided among the urban areas. This includes revenues from the marijuana tax, which benefit White Center and Skyway—so those areas receive larger shares of the funding.

From now through Oct. 31, anyone who lives, works, owns a business, receives services, goes to school, or worships in one of these five areas is encouraged to cast their vote to choose projects to benefit their community.

How to vote

Residents and other community members can vote in-person or online. Get more information about how to vote in your community. …

More on Participatory Budgeting

In 2021, the King County Council approved Executive Constantine’s proposal to try this new approach to community investment, which is centered on racial equity. It gives people who live, work, play, or worship in the county’s five urban unincorporated areas the chance to directly choose how more than $11 million is spent in their communities. 

Participatory budgeting allows communities to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending. Residents help decide how to spend money on capital projects (physical things that are bought, built, installed, or fixed up) or programs and services. 

The Community Investment Budget Committee, a group of appointed residents from King County’s urban unincorporated areas, met virtually to create the framework for the new participatory budgeting process. 

Where does the money come from?

The funds for the capital projects are backed by bonds. The funds for programs and services in North Highline/White Center and Skyway-West Hill come from King County’s general fund and are supported by marijuana retail sales tax revenue.  

Learn more by visiting publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice