Response From Seattle Police Department To Ongoing Parties And Potential Criminal Activity At Laurelhurst Park

Fire Pit used for large late night gatherings at Laurelhurst Park

We received the following two responses from the Seattle Police Department regarding continuing large gatherings and excesive noise, including drug use at the Park, specifically from parties held at the Fire Pit.

The first response is from  Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, in response to a post we did on Wedneday of this week, regarding continuing large gatherings and excesive noise, including drug use at the Park, specifically from parties held at the Fire Pit:

I  know summertime use, and sometimes misuse of our Parks occurs throughout Seattle.  From Golden Gardens to Seward Park, young people often meet up to hang out, play music and sometimes they engage in criminal activity. 

9-1-1 needs to be used for reporting underage drinking;  property damage; disturbances; noise complaints;
etc.  Calls are dispatched on a priority basis, depending on what is happening simultaneously in that district.  SPD does not have the staffing levels that would allow us to patrol parks on a regular basis. 

However, we are complaint driven and will respond to the neighborhood complaints.  So our message to nearby residents is call when you wish a patrol officer to respond. It will be the officers’ discretion on whether anyone is identified, arrested, cited or trespassed.  

Perhaps neighbors and/or parents can do routine dog walks through the park too, on the popular nights if you suspect that Laurelhurst teenagers are the problem. 

If the teenagers are driving in from another neighborhood, do not hesitate to use 625-5011 to report any parking violations.  Teenagers love their cars and do not want them towed! 

I have forwarded this e-mail to my supervisor, the Sergeant of the Community Police Team; and your CPT officer.  I have also sent it to the Parks Dept. Public Information officer for her response.  tj

And this response is from Seattle Police Department's Sergeant Dianne Newsom, in charge of the North Precinct Community Police Team:

Parent patrols of the area  make the neighborhood kids not hang out there. 

The Park exclusion ordinance does apply to all city parks including Laurelhurst.

I have notified the District Sergeant about your concerns