December Crime Activity Report And Transient Possibly Living At Talaris

Below is the neighborhood December crime activity report.


The Neighborhood Private Security Patrol activity report was not provided by the Laurelhurst Community Club.

SPD has reported that car thefts went up by about 5% in December, of which several reportedly may have to do with street lights being out, keys left in cars or cars left unlocked.

Neighbors have also reported a homeless young man reportedly living on the grounds of Talaris. One neighbor reported the male was in the vicinity of what was formerly the soccer practice field and also could be living in one of the empty buildings. It was reported that drug paraphernalia was also found. SPD was called about one incident and it was reported that the male then left.


Seattle Police Department Reports:

12/1 2:24am 4100 block of 43rd Avenue NE

DISTURBANCE


12/5 4:25pm 4100 block of 43rd Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES


12/7 2am 4500 block of 52nd Avenue NE
LARCENY


12/8 4:35pm 4100 block of 42nd Avenue NE
CAR THEFT


12/9 12:49pm 4100 block of 43rd Avenue NE
DISTURBANCE

12/11 10:19pm 4400 block of NE 41st Street
CAR THEFT


12/13 2pm 4300 block of NE 44th Street
THEFT FROM CAR

12/14 5:07am 4300 block of NE 44th Street
CAR THEFT


12/14 5:49am 4300 block of NE 44th Street
PROWLER

12/14 8:57am 5400 block of 47th Avenue NE
BURGLARY


12/15 9:51pm 4400 block of 55th Avenue NE
CAR THEFT

12/19 7:26am 4400 block of 38th Avenue NE
BURGLARY

12/19 9:08am 4400 block of 38th Avenue NE
BURGLARY


12/19 2:51pm 4400 block of 55th Avenue NE
CAR THEFT


12/20 4:11pm 4400 block of 55th Avenue NE
FRAUD CALL


12/22 11:30pm 4100 block of 43rd Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/24 1:18am 4500 block of NE 41st Street
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/24 2:40am 4200 block of 51st Avenue NE
PROPERTY THEFT


12/25 5:44pm 4100 block of 43rd Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES


12/29 12:44am 3600 block of 42nd Avenue NE
DISTURBANCE

Happening Now Possible Protest At University Village

The Laurelhurst Blog has received many reports of a possible protest which started at 3pm today at the University Village and also at the University of Washington.

It is reported that the University Village is closed.

These comments were posted on Twitter just now:

At University Village in Seattle entrances are blocked to cars and shops are boarded up amidst reports of 3pm demonstration.

Over 50 cops in full riot gear are at University Village. Every store is shut down and being boarded up, including QFC. Cops claim body cameras are on.

SPD are swarming University Village, boarding up businesses and shutting everything down

For anyone in #Seattle thinking there is a protest in #UniversityVillage: There is not. This was a probably an attempt at organized crime, which the police have been alerted of and have now blocked off. University Village is private property and cannot be used for a protest.

Please avoid roadways around UW campus, to the extent possible, to allow emergency vehicles to access the area if needed.

A neighbor told the Laurelhurst Blog:

I saw what appeared to be national guard troops -- in full military gear, not Seattle  Police. I also saw cars with people (with masks and backpacks) driving to the U Village and trying to get in but could not; same with people on the Burke Gilman.  There were several individuals banded together with masks -- not the type of protective wear to address COVID -- with backpacks. Also saw some business on 55th near the Duchess boarding stores up.

Neighbor Reports Drunken Neighborhood Party

The Laurelhurst Blog Staff received this email from a neighbor:

On Friday night, April 24, some people toward the middle or north end of the long block on 44th Avenue NE between NE 41st Street and NE 38th Street apparently decided to “socially distance” by drinking and talking and listening to music in front of their house. 

At 3 a.m. the party was going strong, loud and louder in the way of drunks: “There’s no fucking place I’d rather be!” etc. etc. Even with double pane windows shut and many houses away from the revelry, the noise could be heard.

City Noise ordinance states:

• Sunday through Thursday: No noise between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays: Quiet between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. 

The full description of SMC 25.08.425 and Seattle Municipal Code 25.08.225 state" 

Construction and Maintenance noises cannot occur before 9 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and must end by 10 p.m. 

"Residential disturbance" means a gathering of more than one (1) person at a residential property located in a single family or multifamily zone, as defined SMC Section 23.84.048 between the hours of 10:00 P.M., (11:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday nights) and 7:00 A.M., at which noise associated with the gathering is frequent, repetitive or continuous and is audible to a person of normal hearing at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet or more from the property. 

Penalties: Officers may issue a civil infraction (citation) on the spot. The fine for the infraction is $250. A person who continues to be in violation of this ordinance after receiving an infraction or who again violates this ordinance within 24 hours of receiving an infraction, can be charged with a crime. If found guilty, a judge may impose a maximum sentence of up to 180 days incarceration in jail, and/or a fine up to $500.

For more information go here. 

December Neighborhood Crime Activity Report

Below is the neighborhood December crime activity. 

The Neighborhood Private Security Patrol activity report (subscribe here) was not provided by the Laurelhurst Community Club.


12/1   4:43am   4100 block of 51st Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/6   10:11pm    4700 block of 46th Avenue NE
FRAUD CALL

12/7  7:49pm   4300 block of 53rd Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/8   12:22am   4300 block of NE 44th Street
CAR THEFT

12/13    11:17pm 3800 block of 44th Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/16    6:59am    4100 block of 42nd Avenue NE
CAR PROWL

12/17   6:05am    4700 block of 44th Avenue NE
BURGLARY

12/19   12:39am  5100 block of 48th Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/19   4:49am and 8:54am   5000 block of 44th Avenue NE
DISTURBANCE

12/24  12:20am   3800 block of 49th Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/23   3:58pm   5100 block of NE 41st Street
AUTO THEFT

12/27   4:58am   4400 block of 55th Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/27  10:16am   5000 block of NE 52nd Street
BURGLARY

12/29/   9:54am   4500 block of NE 55th Street
DISTURBANCE

SPD's Halloween Safety Tips

The Seattle Police Department offers these safety tips for tomorrow's trick or treaters:

Halloween Safety Tips

FOR MOTORISTS & BICYCLISTS:

• Stay alert for increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic on Halloween night.
• Be patient and SLOW DOWN! Give children lots of time to cross the street. Costumes can impair their ability to see and hear you and to get out of the way quickly. It also may be difficult for young children to cross a street quickly and they may not see potential traffic threats, or anticipate driver behavior.
• Excited kids may forget to “stop, look and listen” before crossing the street. Since they may be trying to visit as many houses as possible in a short period of time, children could quickly dart in front of your car.
• Be extra cautious in areas where vehicles are parked along the side of the street. Trick-or-treaters may dart into traffic from between parked cars.
  Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood. Also watch for children walking on medians and curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.

FOR PARENTS and CAREGIVERS:

• Trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights or “glow sticks.”
• Dress children in costumes that are light-colored and clearly visible to motorists.
• Use face paints or make-up rather than masks that could impair vision.
  Wear light-colored clothing or add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Small children should be accompanied by adults.
• Older children should stay in groups.
• Make sure props such as swords, scythes, pitchforks, spears, wands or knives are flexible (not rigid) with smooth or rounded tips to prevent eye or other injuries if fallen on.
• If driving children to trick-or-treat, make sure they exit the vehicle on the curb side and not the traffic side.
• Instruct your children not to eat any candy until they bring it home and you examine it thoroughly. Inspect commercially wrapped candy for tampering (unusual appearance, discoloration, tiny pinholes or tears in wrappers). Discard anything suspicious. Throw out homemade treats.
  Secure identification (name, address phone number) on or within a child’s costume.
• Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they become lost or have an emergency. (9-1-1 service can be dialed free from any phone).

FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS:

• Don’t assume the right of way when crossing a street. Motorists may have trouble seeing you. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean they all will.
• Be very cautious of strangers. A stranger is someone you don’t know who behaves in an inappropriate way. Adults asking children for help can be potentially dangerous.
• Trick-or-treaters should only visit houses that have porch lights turned on.
• Never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle.
• Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Don’t run! Always walk when crossing streets or going from house to house.
• Cross streets only at corners and crosswalks. Never cross the street from between parked cars.
• Remove mask or any item restricting eyesight before crossing streets.
  Don’t take shortcuts through back alleys or parking lots.
• Look “left, right, left again” for cars before stepping off the curb to cross a street.
• Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
• Don’t eat any treats until you get home.
• Have an adult check all candy before eating it.
• Stay focused on your surroundings. If you feel threatened, go to the nearest store or restaurant and ask to use the phone. Call parents or the police.

FOR HOMEOWNERS:

• Turn on your porch light. Provide ample outdoor lighting.
• Eliminate tripping hazards on your porch, yard, and walkway. (Flower pots, lawn furniture, lawn decorations, bicycles, children’s toys, ladders, garden hoses, dog leashes, support wires, low tree limbs).
• Pets can be frightened by Halloween activities. Restrain or bring them indoors to protect them from cars or accidentally hurting trick-or-treaters.

Community Service Officers Set to Return

The Laurelhurst Community Club recently published this information in their recent Laurelhurst newsletter.

Community Service Officers Set to Return 

In 2004, the City Council eliminated virtually all of the funding for Community Service Officers (CSO).  

LCC believes this was a major mistake and has worked since then to restore funding. LCC was encouraged in 2016 when councilmembers cosponsored legislation to bring back CSOs; however, that proposal did not garner sufficient support to move forward at that time.  

Recently, Mayor Jenny Durkan and Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best announced the Community Service Officer program will be funded again. LCC wrote to commend them for relaunching this valuable program – an effective and efficient use of funds.  

The Laurelhurst neighborhood is gratified that the mayor identified this need as a priority and commends her leadership on reinstating CSOs. CSOs perform important services to assist the police and the community.  

For example, they handle juvenile runaway case management and provide assistance to abused and neglected children; check on the well being of the elderly and other vulnerable persons; provide crisis intervention services and assist people in finding emergency housing.  

District 1 Councilmember Lisa Herbold summarized the program this way: “CSOs are non-commissioned officers who are trained to work as liaison personnel with the community and the Police Department, and support community-oriented policing.  

CSOs will assist with mediating disputes, follow up on calls for non-emergency services, help residents navigate services, support programming for at-risk youth, and attend school and community-hosted events. Some of the work will involve assisting homeless persons and individuals struggling with substance abuse to access programs like diversion opportunities, housing, and behavioral health services.”

To subscribe to the LCC newsletter and also occasional email newsletters, send email to laurelhurstnews@comcast.net. Archived newsletters can be found here.

To subscribe to the Laurelhurst Blog, a separate entity published week-days, go here.

May Neighborhood Crime Report

Below is the Seattle Police reports for May crime activity in the neighborhood.

The Neighborhood Private Security Patrol activity report (subscribe here) was not provided by the Laurelhurst Community Club for May.

5/4 10:21pm 4400 block of 38th Avenue NE
PROPERTY DAMAGE

5/22 7am 3700 block of 41st Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS PERSON

5/23 6:30am Surber Drive NE/ NE Belvoir Place
SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE

April Neighborhood Crime Report

Below is the Seattle Police reports for April crime activity in the neighborhood.

The Neighborhood Private Security Patrol activity report (subscribe here) was not provided by the Laurelhurst Community Club for these two months.
4/3   8:11am   4300 block of 50th Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

4/10    9:44am  3100 block of West Laurelhurst Drive NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

4/15   8:45pm    3100 block of West Laurelhurst Drive NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

Tonight Update On Recent Shooting At North Precinct Advisory Council Meeting

Tomorrow night, the Seattle Police North Precinct Advisory Council will hold its monthly meeting from 7-8:30pm at Cascadia Elementary School (1700 North 90th Street).  

On the Agenda is an update on the recent Lake City shooting. 

7:00 Welcome
7:05 North Seattle Shooting Update
7:35 Crime Prevention
7:40 City Attorney’s Office 
7:45 King Co. Prosecutor’s Office 
7:50 Community Police Team 
7:55 Business 
8:00 Precinct Update
8:15 Open Forum/Questions
8:30 Adjourn

Attendees: Katy Dwyer SPD Leadership Mary Amberg Meagan Westphal Deputy Prosecutor Sgt. Dianne Newsom Membership, Focus Groups, Issues Captain Eric Sano All

Informal networking with law enforcement and community members follows the Captain’s precinct update as time permits.  This meeting is devoted to promoting partnerships and information sharing between citizens and law enforcement and justice agencies to effectively address public safety issues.   

NPAC Blog​: http://seattlenpac.blogspot.com

December and January Neighborhood Crime Report

Below are Seattle Police reports for December and November crime activity in the neighborhood.  

The Neighborhood Private Security Patrol activity report (subscribe here) was not provided by the Laurelhurst Community Club for these two months.

December

12/2   3:54am   3800 block of 51st Avenue NE
DISTURBANCE

12/4    8:53pm  3900 block of NE Surber Drive
FRAUD CALL

12/7   7:28am   4200 block of NE 33rd Street
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/7    11:08am    5000 block of 47th Avenue NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/7  10:28pm   3500 block of NE 44th Street
NARCOTICS  COMPLAINT 
12/9   7:50am  4300 block of 36th Avenue NE
BIKE THEFT

12/11  8:20pm   5100 block of 47th Avenue NE
PROPERTY DAMAGE

12/13   3:11pm  4500 block of 46th Avenue NE
DISTURBANCE

12/13   10:48pm  SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
4000 block of 48th Avenue NE

12/17  9:28pm  3100 block of West Laurelhurst Drive NE
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/18  2:21pm  4800 block of NE 42nd Street
CAR THEFT

12/23 1:18am    4200 block of NE 33rd Street

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

12/23   6:01am  3900 block of  NE Surber Drive
BURGLARY


January

1/5    5:50pm  4500 block of 47th Avenue NE

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

1/9   1:54pm   4500 block of 46th Avenue NE

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

1/11   8:28pm    4500 block of 55th Avenue NE

DISTURBANCE

1/14   6:56am  3900 block of 47th Avenue NE

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

1/16   7:29pm  3300 block of 47th Avenue NE

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

1/25   1:04am    4500 block of 48th Avenue NE

CAR PROWL

1/26   10:51pm   5100 block of 46th Avenue NE

VANDALISM

1/30   8:57pm   3800 block of 46th Avenue NE

BURGLARY

Car Stolen On East Side Of Laurelhurst Park

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

Our locked car was stolen in the middle of the night on December 18th from the front of our house on the east side of Laurelhurst Park on NE 42nd Street.  

Our car is a 2012 Gray Ford Expedition with a QCYC sticker on the rear window of the passenger side. 

If you see it parked on your street, please call the Seattle Police. A report has been filed.

Tips To Keep Packages And Mail Safe, Avoid Car Prowls And More

The Laurelhurst Blog has received an increase in reports of packages stolen from porches with the holidays approaching. 

The Seattle Police reported:

We are at a time of year when we see an increase in package thefts from homes.   Some package thieves will follow or watch for delivery trucks and then target a home after a delivery is made; other thieves may just happen to see the package left at the doorstep of the home, in plain view of the street, and help themselves.

Here are Seattle Police holiday tips in order to reduce the risk of mail and package theft, car prowl prevention, and ensure personal and home safety:

Packages/mail:

• If you are having packages delivered from an online order try to get them sent to your place of work if that's allowed. If not, there are some companies that have lockers available as a pickup location. 
• Never send cash in the mail 
• Don’t leave outgoing mail unattended in the mailbox for pick up- drop it off at the post office instead. 
• If you are going out of town- ask the post office to hold your mail until you return. *Keep your mailbox in good repair and make sure it is properly installed and consider a locking mailbox (contact your local postmaster for regulations).
• If you are leaving presents out to look at until it's time to open them, try to make sure you can't see them from a window or door in your home.
• If you see someone suspicious checking out mailboxes for deliveries call 911. We need your help on this one, get a good description of the person and their vehicle if they have one.
• Track your shipment: All of the major delivery companies offer package tracking, some providing free alerts letting you know where your package is in the shipping process. 
• Require a signature upon delivery.
• Pick up the item(s) from the carrier’s local hub.
• Ask the delivery service to hold your package for customer pick-up at their local shipping facility.
• Request the package be left with a trusted neighbor who has agreed to accept the package for you.
• Arrange to have the package shipped to another location where someone can receive it.  This could be your workplace, a friend or relative’s home, with a trusted neighbor, the leasing office at your apartment complex or even the local “mailbox” business that may agree to accept shipment of your item for a fee.
• If none of the above are viable options, at the very least request the package be placed in a discrete location not visible from the street.

Car Prowl Prevention

• Leave No Valuables in Your Car.  Never leave valuables in your car.  Items of little or no value to you still look inviting to a thief.  Even pocket change is enough of an enticement for some thieves.
• When you exit or enter your parked vehicle, take a moment to look around the area.
• If you must leave valuables in your car (say you’re out shopping and still have some stops to make), make sure that nothing of value is within plain view.  Place items in your car trunk out of sight.  Do this when you get to your car, rather than waiting until you park at your next stop.
• Don’t leave accessories visible in your car.  You may have taken the Laptop or IPod in with you, but if you leave the USB cables for your laptop or earbuds for the IPod in the back seat, the offender may think those items are in the car and break in anyway.
• If you have a GPS, think about how it is mounted in your car.  If the mounting for the GPS is visible, the thief may think the GPS is in the glove box or under the seat and may break in to try to get it. Have removable mounting for the GPS and put that out of sight as well.

Personal Safety

• Before you leave home decide what you actually need to take with you rather than automatically taking your entire handbag or wallet out of habit.  For example, if you are going to the grocery store for a few items, you can carry cash, a single check, or credit/debit card, I.D. and keys in a pocket.
• Wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable, low profile and appropriate for the weather.  This may not be the most fashionable choice but it is the safest.
• Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings.  Avoid shortcuts.  Walk confidently.  Scan your surroundings and make eye contact with people.
• Carry your keys and ID separately.  If someone gets your keys and ID, they may go to your home or business and access that location with the keys.
• Always maintain positive control over your items.  Don’t tempt a thief by leaving your purse, wallet or packages unattended.  It only takes a second to grab them.  Never leave your purse unattended, even if it is in a shopping cart.
• If you carry a purse, don’t dangle it from your arm.  Carry it very close to you, preferable with the strap over your shoulder and the purse to the front of your body.  Even better would be to carry the purse over your shoulder across your body and under your coat.
• Take a friend along when doing holiday shopping.  Using the buddy system reduces your chances of being a victim of robbery.
• When paying by cash, only take out the amount needed and keep the remainder out of view.  It’s always a good idea to carry minimal amounts of cash, regardless of the time of year.
• Beware of strangers who bump, shove or get too close. Pickpockets may use these diversions to lift your wallet.
• Be cautious of those you don’t know who offer to carry bags and packages for you.  Depending on where you shop, store personnel or mall security may offer assistance in carrying packages to your car or escorting you to your vehicle.
• Before returning to your car, make sure you’re not over-burdened with packages.  Have your car keys in hand to avoid searching for them when you reach your car.
• If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle.  Do not pursue your attacker.  Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible.

Home Prevention Tips

• Don’t openly display wrapped or received gifts so they are easily visible from the street.  You increase the possibility that a burglar will be tempted to gain entry and steal the gifts.
• When disposing of the packaging in which gifts and other purchases come, realize that when you place these out for recycling or trash collection, those boxes sitting out on the curb on collection day give a passer-by a pretty good indication of what’s in your home.  Recycle the packaging, yes - but break the boxes down first, turn them inside out so the exterior writing does not show, and don’t put them on the curb until collection day. 
• Burglars often enter through unlocked doors or windows.  When exterior holiday light extension cords are run inside through a window, this prevents the window from being secured, and this unsecured window is visibly noticeable.  Consider installing an inexpensive exterior outlet for your holiday lights so you don’t provide an opened and unlocked entry to your home. If you are going to be away, let your trusted neighbors know that you plan to be out town so that they can watch your home for you.  If they see suspicious activity while you are gone, they will know to call 911 for you.

Seattle Police recommend that citizens should always call 911 if they see a crime in progress or are a crime, no matter how small a person may think it is.  Crimes can also be reported on-line here.