New Seattle Police North Precinct Coordinator

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, covering Laurelhurst sent out this information:

Dear Block Captains/Contacts: 

I wanted to announce that there is a new North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator who was hired in March to serve the northeast neighborhoods.  Her name is Elizabeth Scott and she is part of the Community Police Team and works for Sgt. Dianne Newsom. 

Her desk phone at the North Precinct is 684-7711 and her email address is elizabeth.scott@seattle.gov.  Elizabeth joined the Seattle Police Dept. in 2012 and was hired as an Administrative Specialist II and was subsequently promoted to an Administrative Specialist III.    

Elizabeth is very excited about her new position as she truly loves working with people and supporting Law Enforcement.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Washington University. 

It was a pleasure serving you during the past three + years.   I have transferred back to the downtown West Precinct and serve the East Precinct neighborhoods as well.  Thanks for all you do in keeping the neighborhood more informed, organized and safe. 

Seattle Police's Helpful Halloween Tips For Staying Safe

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, sent some helpful information on staying safe tonight:

How to Make Halloween a Real Treat

Know your route. Don’t take short cuts through alleyways, back yards or parks.
Whose homes will you visit? Advise your parents of your plans.

Make sure an adult is going along. If not, tell parents with whom you’ll be. Stay together w/your group and have a plan should someone get lost.

Only trick or treat at homes with front porch lights on. NEVER enter the house or car of a stranger.

Communicate when you will be home. Carry a cell.phone and call if you will be late.

Be able to see well and be seen in the dark. Carry a flashlight or light sticks. It makes it easier to see and shows you
where you are going. Reflective tape/material is a good idea to add to your costume.

Drivers have a hard time seeing you at night, so cross the road carefully and stay on main streets/sidewalks. Use crosswalks, and wait for a walk signal. Never cross from between parked cars.

Make sure costume is safe. Be careful of open flames from pumpkins and candles, as they can catch
your costume and long wigs on fire. Make up is safer than a mask, which can make seeing difficult. Are your shoes safe and comfortable for walking?

Have your parents check out your candy when you get home before you eat any.

Tips for greeting treaters at at home:
Greet the chidlren at the door.
Remove obstacles from sidewalk, porch and steps.
Keep a light on, so treaters can see where they are walking.
Use your peep hole and look outside before opening the door.
Don’t leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween.

Pet tips:
Be mindful of pets around lit pumpkins.
Chocolate is poisonous to animals, as is tin foil or candy wrappers.

Remember you can call 9-1-1 to report suspicious or criminal activity, 24 hours a day.

How To Prevent Your Car From Being Broken Into

Take all valuables with you when you park, and make sure all items, regardless of value, are not visible.

(photo courtesy of SPD)

The Seattle P-I recently published a list of which neighborhoods have the most car break-ins. Police in this Laurelhurst area beat have responded to 438 reports of car break-ins since June 2010.

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, recently sent out email with tips on how to prevent car prowls:


Car Prowls - Don’t become another victim!
Car prowls are crimes of opportunity that are committed within seconds.  They are expensive, inconvenient, and aggravating for victims.

PREVENTION: BE CONSISTENT
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle every time you park.
• If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight several blocks before parking.
• Disable internal trunk releases per your owner’s manual instructions.
• Audible alarms or other theft deterrent devices can be effective.
• Security garages are only secure if entering and exiting drivers watch the door fully close behind them every
time.
• Remote controls for security garages should never be left inside parked vehicles.  They provide future access
to returning thieves.
• Thieves are targeting vehicles of all makes and models for valuables including:
• GPS Devices • Laptops
• Cellular Phones • Cameras
• Purses • Luggage
• Cash • Garage Remotes
Most stolen property is traded or sold on the street within minutes of the crime, lowering the chance of recovery.
Thieves commonly break windows for entry, but many are also successful at defeating door and trunk locks.

BE OBSERVANT
Report all crimes and suspicious activity to
911 immediately.

You are more likely to be a victim of a vehicle crime than any other crime reported to the Seattle Police Department. An experienced Car Prowler or Thief can gain access to your car in virtually seconds. In less than 30 seconds, someone could break into a parked car. Most car prowls themselves take less than two minutes. The damage done to locks and windows can be very expensive to repair and cause great inconvenience.

REDUCE YOUR RISK OF CAR PROWLS

The following are recommendations that can reduce your risk of being a victim of a car prowl or theft.

• When you exit or enter your parked vehicle, stop and take a look around the area.
• Before leaving your parked car, always remove the keys, roll up the windows and lock the car.
• Make a habit of locking your garage door and car doors.
• If possible, store your car in a closed and locked garage.
• If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night.
• If you park on the street, choose a well-lit, open space even if it means adding additional street/yard lighting & trimming back trees/bushes that block your view of your vehicle.
• If you park your car in a dark or isolated area, consider the City Light Area Lighting Program, which permits additional light fixtures to be placed on existing poles. The cost is less than $5 per month per light. Call (206) 684-3000 for more information.
• Consider replacing the light fixture closest to your car with a motion detector unit. Motion detectors are a good psychological deterrents since the normal assumption of a person seeing a light come on is that someone has seen them. Additionally, the light makes the prowler or thief more visible.

Seattle Police Halloween Tips

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, sent some helpful information on staying safe tomorrow evening:

How to Make Halloween a Real Treat

Know your route.  Don’t take short cuts through alleyways, back yards or parks.
Whose homes will you visit? Advise your parents of your plans.

Make sure an adult is going along.  If not, tell parents with whom you’ll be. Stay together w/your group and have a plan should someone get lost.

Only trick or treat at homes with front porch lights on.  NEVER enter the house or car of a stranger.

Communicate when you will be home. Carry a cell.phone and call if you will be late.

Be able to see well and be seen in the dark.  Carry a flashlight or light sticks. It makes it easier to see and shows you
where you are going. Reflective tape/material is a good idea to add to your costume. 

Drivers have a hard time seeing you at night, so cross the road carefully and stay on main streets/sidewalks. Use crosswalks, and wait for a walk signal. Never cross from between parked cars. 

Make sure costume is safe. Be careful of open flames from pumpkins and candles, as they can catch
your costume and long wigs on fire.  Make up is safer than a mask, which can make seeing difficult. Are your shoes safe and comfortable for walking?

Have your parents check out your candy when you get home before you eat any.

Tips for greeting treaters at at home:
Greet the chidlren at the door.
Remove obstacles from sidewalk, porch and steps.
Keep a light on, so treaters can see where they are walking.
Use your peep hole and look outside before opening the door.
Don’t leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween.

Pet tips:
Be mindful of pets around lit pumpkins.
Chocolate is poisonous to animals, as is tin foil or candy wrappers.

Remember you can call 9-1-1 to report suspicious or criminal activity, 24 hours a day.

Police Reminder: Fireworks Prohibited And Use Non-Emergency Line Today For Fireworks Related Calls

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, sent some helpful information about use of fireworks today:

Seattle Police Department  and Police want to remind you that fireworks are illegal in the City of Seattle.  

The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited.  Fireworks offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.  Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and present a safety risk to those who use them.  Every year the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries.  The holiday related fires and injuries are preventable. 

Our 9-1-1 center becomes overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls on the 4th of July.  For this day only, DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help from police, fire or medics.   

If you know me or my work, you know that it is my constant endeavor to encourage the public to use 9-1-1 to report suspicious circumstances, in addition to reporting crime.  HOWEVER,  my message applies to all days of the year except July 4th.   

This is the busiest day of the year for our Call Center. Reports of fireworks; barking dogs; drunken parties; gunshots fired; boating mishaps;  burns, noise complaints, etc. are commonplace during this holiday.  Delays in dispatch are a reality.  

If possible use the 625-5011 line to report any fireworks violations.

Burglary Update From Terri Johnston, SPD Crime Prevention North Precinct Police Coordinator

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, sent some helpful information on recent break-ins and how to protect yourself:

• The North Precinct Burglary/Theft Unit continues to follow up on recent burglary arrests done by North Precinct patrol officers, and  due in some part to your watchfulness and good 9-1-1 calls.  The 19 year old serial occupied burglar and auto thief who was hitting the north end neighborhoods hard approximately 9 weeks ago has been charged with nearly 10 years.  He is in jail and won’t be released for a long time. 

• A 39-year old, white female was arrested last week for multiple burglaries in the north end, some in which the residents were home at the time of the crime.  She confessed to detectives that she is an addict, and she preferred burglaries to prostitution. She spent the day with detectives showing them houses she had hit.  She told the detectives that she was surprised how many people leave their house keys out in  mailboxes; or on the front porch (she found keys in a pair of shoes on front porch).  Please re-think the hide-away key.  You may think it is unusual to put in under a paving stone, or huge flower pot, etc. but burglars who do this for a living, know our hiding spots.  She also told the detectives that she often looked in the windows and could see the desirable loot in plain sight (purses, cash, electronics).

• I talked with a gentleman recently who lives in the Maple Leaf neighborhood.  During the glorious weather we have had, he was gardening in the front yard.  A thief, unseen by neither the homeowner nor nearby neighbors, entered this home through the unlocked back door and took cash and prescription meds. from a back bedroom.   I know it may be inconvenient to keep your doors locked when you are home and gardening, but these crimes are quick and contribute to our burglary rate increases during summer months. 

Terri can be contacted at the North Precinct at 206-684-7711.

Suspicious Solicitors Reported Near 45th Avenue NE And NE 50th Street, Helpful Tips From SPD On Dealing With Solicitors

It seems as if a variety of solicitors are again visiting homes with the peak season for solicitors approaching as the weather starts to warm up.

We have done many posts on suspicious solicitors,  some saying they are practicing their social skills, and have reportedly also visited nearby neighborhoods, others claiming to sell magazine subscriptions, and another person saying he is a janitor at whatever business is nearest the home he is visiting and saying he needs money as he is locked out.

This week we received this email from a Blog reader:

First of all, thank you so much for your service of maintaining the Laurelhurst Blog, I find it very useful and informative.  

I wanted to report a weird incident on Monday, May 7th.  Two solicitors, one male and one female stopped by my house together and said they were finishing some school communication project.  My husband told me that the girl was pregnant but I didn't notice that.   

I didn't really let them finish because I didn't believe them, but they said something about introducing themselves to the neighbors.  I highly doubt any school or parent would ask their kids to go door to door for such a reason, so I was pretty rude and closed the door right away.  I happened to run an errand shortly after that, and I noticed them wandering around the neighborhood and they were sitting on the bench in the Sun park for a while.   

I was also visited by a weird kid who was reported on this blog about six months who said he was homeschooled and his mom asked him to introduce himself to the neighbors.  I'm curious what they're doing...casing our houses? 

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, gives these tips on how to handle solicitors  most effectively and safely with the salespersons as we move into the peak time of door-to-door sales:
:
Homeowners may consider posting a "No Solicitor" sign indicating “No agents,” “No peddlers,” or “No Solicitors.” In Seattle, it is unlawful for any residential seller to attempt to gain admittance for the purpose of selling at any residence displaying one of these signs.

Before opening your door look for proper identification. In Seattle, all door-to-door sellers must display the residential sales identification which includes the seller’s photograph on their outer clothing, along with the name of the licensee as well as the agent, and the type of product or service being sold. The license is only valid for the product or service specified. If you have any questions about whether a company is properly licensed, call the City of Seattle’s Office of Revenue & Consumer Affairs 206-684-8136.

Acknowledge the knock since ignoring it may lead to an attempted burglary. It is preferable to speak to strangers through your door.

Each residential seller is required to immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose their name, company and the product or service represented.
If requested to do so, the seller must leave the premises immediately. If the individual does not leave, or if an attempt to gain access is ade by asking to use the bathroom, the phone or get a drink of water, refuse the request and ask the individual to leave. If you feel intimidated, pressured, or threatened at any time, call 911.

It is safer not to allow the salesperson into your home.

Don't pay immediately or give the salesperson cash or a check, as it may be pocketed and you will never receive the product ordered. Instead, find out from the seller how you can order directly from he company or receive the bill upon receipt of the product/service. If the salesperson is concerned about losing their commission for the sale, offer to provide their name when placing your order.

In Seattle, if you make a purchase, the salesperson must tell you of your right to cancel the order and the contract must include a statement regarding the right to cancel as well as a notice informing the buyer of their right to cancel the order any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction. A completed Notice of Canelllation (in duplicate) must be provided to the purchaser at the time they purchase from the seller. You do not need to provide a reason for canceling the order.

For each sale of ten dollars or more, the seller must provide a receipt or contract to the purchaser. Do not leave any blanks on your contract. Be sure the contract or receipt is dated and that it states the terms of the transaction, the amount of payment made and the name and address of the residential seller.

Never be afraid to say “NO!” to high pressure tactics and end your conversation with the salesperson.

Avoid making an immediate purchase in order to receive a “free gift.”

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information or questions, Terri can be reached at 206-684-7711.

Solicitor Practicing "Social Skills" Seen and Helpful Solicitor Tips From Seattle Police Department

The solicitor who says he is practicing social skills is once again in the neighborhood.

We posted about this in April and also in June of last year. They have, in the past, also been seen in other neighborhoods including Roosevelt, Maple Leaf , Wallingford and Ballard.

A reader sent us this information:

I just wanted to let you know that yesterday afternoon we had another visit from someone going door to door to "practice their social skills."  This was on the 5100 block of 45th Avenue NE. 

As in the past, this person had no identification or literature identifying what organization he claimed to be working with.  Our dog alerted my wife, who then noticed him in our driveway checking the garage door.  He then came to the door and professed to have "made a mistake." 


Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, gives these tips:

Homeowners may consider posting a "No Solicitor" sign indicating “No agents,” “No peddlers,” or “No Solicitors.” In Seattle, it is unlawful for any residential seller to attempt to gain admittance for the purpose of selling at any residence displaying one of these signs.

Before opening your door look for proper identification. In Seattle, all door-to-door sellers must display the residential sales identification which includes the seller’s photograph on their outer clothing, along with the name of the licensee as well as the agent, and the type of product or service being sold. The license is only valid for the product or service specified. If you have any questions about whether a company is properly licensed, call the City of Seattle’s Office of Revenue & Consumer Affairs 206-684-8136.

Acknowledge the knock since ignoring it may lead to an attempted burglary. It is preferable to speak to strangers through your door.

Each residential seller is required to immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose their name, company and the product or service represented.

If requested to do so, the seller must leave the premises immediately. If the individual does not leave, or if an attempt to gain access is ade by asking to use the bathroom, the phone or get a drink of water, refuse the request and ask the individual to leave. If you feel intimidated, pressured, or threatened at any time, call 911.

It is safer not to allow the salesperson into your home.

Don't pay immediately or give the salesperson cash or a check, as it may be pocketed and you will never receive the product ordered. Instead, find out from the seller how you can order directly from he company or receive the bill upon receipt of the product/service. If the salesperson is concerned about losing their commission for the sale, offer to provide their name when placing your order.

In Seattle, if you make a purchase, the salesperson must tell you of your right to cancel the order and the contract must include a statement regarding the right to cancel as well as a notice informing the buyer of their right to cancel the order any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction. A completed Notice of Canelllation (in duplicate) must be provided to the purchaser at the time they purchase from the seller. You do not need to provide a reason for canceling the order.

For each sale of ten dollars or more, the seller must provide a receipt or contract to the purchaser. Do not leave any blanks on your contract. Be sure the contract or receipt is dated and that it states the terms of the transaction, the amount of payment made and the name and address of the residential seller.

Never be afraid to say “NO!” to high pressure tactics and end your conversation with the salesperson.

Avoid making an immediate purchase in order to receive a “free gift.”

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information or questions, Terri can be reached at 206-684-7711.

Update From Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Here is some important information from Terrie Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator:

Retaining 3 Crime Prevention Coordinators: Mayor McGinn and the Seattle City Council decided last November to maintain the 3 remaining Crime Prevention Coordinators for another year. This means I will continue serving the North Precinct’s neighborhoods with establishing and maintenance of Block Watches; conducting free security surveys for both commercial spaces and residents.  I am available for personal safety trainings; workplace violence prevention, etc.  I am happy to be a part of the Community Police Team, and look forward to continuing this meaningful work. 

Property Crime Update:  In much of the North precinct, the burglary rates have decreased or stabilized.  There are still increased numbers of residential burglaries in some northeast neighborhoods.  They are primarily occurring during the hours of 6 a.m. to about 6 p.m. 

Knocking on doors to see if anyone is at home is still a common method used by thieves.  In some cases, there is a female driver who serves as chauffeur and lookout, for her male accomplices.   The lookout has been seen texting the thieves about watchful neighbors, etc.  Kicking in doors, or door jambs is prevalent.

We recommend all exterior doors be solid core doors, (or metal) and are a minimum of 1 ¾” thick.  For maximum security, all exterior doors should be equipped with a deadbolt lock and reinforced strike plates, using 3” screws which will go into the framework.  Locks within 40 inches of glass are vulnerable.

Watchful neighbors remain your best alarm.  9 times out of 10, our burglars are arrested due to 9-1-1 calls from neighbors who heard or saw something suspicious and made that call.

Calling 9-1-1:  I think I speak for the entire Community Police Team when I tell you that every day in our e-mail inbox, or on our telephone’s voicemail inbox, we find messages from the community that say something like this, “I wanted to let you know that I just saw something suspicious but I didn’t think this merited a 9-1-1 call."

Almost always the information is detailed, with good descriptions and refers to something that may or may not have been criminal, but certainly seemed odd.  And almost always it is too late for SPD to do anything with that information.  

I am now hoping to encourage you to trust that gut feeling of yours.   If you get the sense that something weird is happening, even if it isn’t an emergency, please call 9-1-1 and simply state what you are reporting.  The call taker will decide whether your call should be transferred off the primary line onto a secondary line.   You don’t know what you prevent by getting a patrol cruiser coming into your neighborhood.

Terrie can be reached at 684-7711 for any questions or follow up services.

Seattle Police Precinct Coordinator and Reader Response To Advertisers Littering Sidewalks

Yesterday we did a post about a car driving through the neighborhood throwing out little plastic bags containing a flier for a cleaning service as well as about 5 white rocks.

The "advertisers" threw the bags onto sidewalks, not close to entries to homes.

As we mentioned yesterday, readers can call Seattle Police Department's non-emergency number (625-5011 option 2, then 8) to file a report.

Our staff emailed Terri Johnson, SPD North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, about this uneccesary and intrusive litterig on our neighborhood streets and here is her response:

Littering is wrong and it is one of my pet peeves. 

I’m guessing the company thinks this is just an ingenious way to advertise!  Irksome to say the least. 

If the community wants to have a patrol car dispatched for the crime of littering, a car will be sent out and a report will be taken.  (especially if there is suspect information such as a license plate).  However, it will be routed to the Seattle Utility’s Illegal Dumping section.

You may want to use the 684-7587 to report the “illegal dumping”, but I still stand by my first response which is to pick up the trash, call the company and advise them that their “littering” way of advertising doesn’t fly with the neighborhood and will not convince anyone to hire them.  I’ve heard they do the same thing in White Center and in Lynnwood, and other outlying areas.

While I’m venting, here’s my other gripe.  When I pull into my View Ridge driveway, and see there is an advertisement for a pizza restaurant or some new yard service hanging on my door knob, I get furious.  I immediately call the company and tell them I will not patronize them until they stop hanging these things on my door. 

Why do I hate them so?  Because, as you recall, most burglaries occur during the daytime hours.  Burglars are looking for clues that the house is unoccupied.  I think that seeing the flyers on the door might indicate that no one was home when we came by so we hung the ad on the door. 

Right or wrong this is how I feel about this business tactic and I vote with my feet!!!  I don’t go there. 

Perhaps the “white rocks sack” company needs to hear from you.

We also received a few responses from readers:

FYI, the last time this happened in the neighborhood, I did call the police to report the littering.  I was informed that without at least a license plate number, no one could be "proven" to have thrown the bags out the window.  Fortunately, I did get the license plate number of the car this morning. 

The driver  had a large box in the passenger seat, and he drove by with the window open, throwing the packages out the window.  When he saw me and he seemed to note that I was looking at him - he stopped thowing the bags out the window at our house and the neighboring houses. A similarly concerned neighbor.  

I have seen technique from this firm for several years now ....I sent a link to this blog to their homepage !

Burglary Update From Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

Terrie Johnston,   Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, sent us the below information regarding the recent 27th Annual Night Out on August 2nd as well as an update on burglaries:

Hope those of you who participated in our 27th Annual Night Out on August 2nd enjoyed Seattle’s biggest Crime Prevention celebration.   1, 327 blocks registered this year, a 12% increase in participation from last year  (approx. 720 blocks in the North Precinct participated, twice the number of the other  4 precincts combined).  Spectacular!

No big crime trends  to report at this time, however, here are a few tidbits from recent residential burglary reports.  August burglaries occurred during daytime hours, many before noon.

The bulk of the entries are non-forced through open or  unlocked doors and windows.  (Still a few  through dog-doors as previously reported)  I noticed several entries through unlocked garage doors, which can be harder to protect.  If you can access your home through the garage, please think of the door between the garage and house as an exterior door. 

They should be solid; wooden or metal with good deadbolt lock and a door frame that is anchored into the wall studs.  Window screens are easy to cut or remove so don’t consider them adequate defense for an open window.  Victims reported they left doors unlocked as they were only walking the dog, or at a nearby park with their kids and didn’t plan on being gone long.  We think 9 minutes is a long time for a burglar to be in your home. Laptops, jars of coins, jewelry and tools were popular stolen items this month.  One burglar entered an unlocked garage and stole the victim’s car using the valet key left in the glove box of the vehicle. 

On 7/30/11 people on Densmore Ave. N. were having a party in their basement and a guest came upstairs to find four burglars inside the house.  They were chased outside and fled in the suspects’ vehicle.    An astute individual reported 2 motorcyclists stuffing their back packs with stuff from a suitcase they later discarded.  The witness gave good descriptions and even a license plate number to 9-1-1.  Officers ended up arresting one of the thieves a short time later near the Home Depot parking lot.  Turned out the motorcycle was stolen.  The suitcases seen had the victim’s name on the ID Tags which helped verify a burglary had occurred; and most of the chase was caught on an in-car camera of the patrol car.   Great work by North Precinct patrol and by the great witness who called in the Suspicious Activity which lead to the arrest.  

You are our eyes and ears!  For any questions or to schedule any follow up services, please call me at the North Precinct at Seattle Police Crime Prevention, 206-684-7711.

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

Important Information On Bike Safety From Seattle Police

Here is some important bike information from Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precicnt Crime Prevention Coordinator:

Bicycle Thefts:

• There have been 97 bikes stolen from the North Precinct neighborhoods in the last 6 months.
• SPD Burglary detectives see stolen bikes being sold within hours of the theft on e-bay, Craigslist, in pawn shops and even on the street (one thief was selling stolen bikes on the Burke Gilman Trail).
• The reported dollar loss for these thefts is approximately $80,000.
• To prevent losing your bike and increase the likelihood of getting it back should it be stolen - SPD Detectives recommend writing down the serial number (bike’s head tube, seat post tube, under the crank, or on the frame’s rear wheel mount) of your bike and keeping the number in a safe place.
• Take a picture of your bicycle.
• If your bike is stolen, call SPD to report the crime, giving the serial number and any other identifying marks for your bicycle.
• Try to obtain a police incident number that you can use for your insurance claim.

 

 

Safety Of Your Bike:

 

• Always lock your bike, the whole bike (through the frame and both wheels) and use more than one kind of lock if possible. Our detectives report bolt cutters are used to cut through the locking devices.
• Register the lock and get the serial number if the lock’s manufacturer offers a warranty or insurance on the lock.
• Lock your bike to something permanent.
• Lock it in a visible spot and someplace nearby.
• Lock your bike even if you are parking it on a porch; in the basement, the garage or storage unit.
• Storing your bike inside is preferred.

  

 

 

 

Tips On Avoiding Home Burglary From Seattle Police Crime Prevention Coordinator

Terrie Johnston, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator,  has sent out some helpful tips on how to avoid a home burglary.

She states in her email that there have been about 85 reported burglaries in the North Precinct neighborhoods ( about 35 in total) since the beginning of June. Of those, 45  were non-forced entry burglaries, meaning that the burglar entered through an open or unlocked door or window, or had a key. 

Here are some tips she offers from lessons learned from this month's burglaries:

• Opened windows on the upper floors may be just the opportunity the would-be thief is seeking.   Crooks used plastic lawn chairs, patio furniture, ice chest, garden pots and in one case a ladder to climb up onto the 2nd floor and came in through open windows. 
• Pet doors were the method of entry in several of the burglaries, so be aware.  
• Back doors were popular this month, so reconsider how easy it is for your watchful neighbors to see onto your back yards. 
• The victims’ tools which were left out were used to pry open a rear basement door, and again on the door leading into the upstairs. 
• Decorative rocks and bricks were thrown through back windows in a few of these crimes. 

Terrie is available to schedule a free assessment of your home’s security. She can be reached by email at  terrie.johnston@seattle.gov or by phone at 206-684-7711.

Peak Time For Door To Door Salespersons And Helpful Tips On Dealing With Them

With the onset of warmer weather, more door to door solicitors are out making their rounds.

Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, sent some helpful information on how to deal most effectively and safely with the salespersons as we move into the peak time of door-to-door sales.

Recently, Laurelhurst Blog readers reported solicitors knocking on doors trying to sell magazines and other solictors wanting to practice their social skills.

Terri mentioned that the "Locksmith Scammer" has also been seen in neighorhoods throughout Seattle, claiming to need money to pay a locksmith.

Terri says:

There are many legitimate companies in this industry with professionally trained salespeople.  There are less reputable companies in this business willing to take advantage of  unsuspecting individuals who trust people knocking at their door. Sometimes residents forget to practice good personal safety.

Seattle Police officers respond to calls from citizens concerned about door-to-door salespeople. The results have ranged from the officers checking identification and sending the seller to the City of Seattle Revenue & Consumer Affairs office for their business license, to arrests of individuals posing as residential sellers, but wanted on warrants. There have also been arrests for aggressive behavior, threats made against the resident, burglaries, and assaults.


Homeowners may consider posting a sign indicating “No agents,” “No peddlers,” or “No Solicitors.” In Seattle, it is unlawful for any residential seller to attempt to gain admittance for the purpose of selling at any residence displaying one of these signs.

Helpful tips:

Before opening your door look for proper identification. In Seattle, all door-to-door sellers must display the residential sales identification which includes the seller’s photograph on their outer clothing, along with the name of the licensee as well as the agent, and the type of product or service being sold. The license is only valid for the product or service specified. If you have any questions about whether a company is properly licensed, call the City of Seattle’s Office of Revenue & Consumer Affairs 206-684-8136.

Acknowledge the knock since ignoring it may lead to an attempted burglary. It is preferable to speak to strangers through your door.

Each residential seller is required to immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose their name, company and the product or service represented.

If requested to do so, the seller must leave the premises immediately. If the individual does not leave, or if an attempt to gain access is ade by asking to use the bathroom, the phone or get a drink of water, refuse the request and ask the individual to leave. If you feel intimidated, pressured, or threatened at any time, call 911.

It is safer not to allow the salesperson into your home.

Don't pay immediately or give the salesperson cash or a check, as it may be pocketed and you will never receive the product ordered. Instead, find out from the seller how you can order directly from he company or receive the bill upon receipt of the product/service. If the salesperson is concerned about losing their commission for the sale, offer to provide their name when placing your order.

In Seattle, if you make a purchase, the salesperson must tell you of your right to cancel the order and the contract must include a statement regarding the right to cancel as well as a notice informing the buyer of their right to cancel the order any time prior to midnight of the third business day after the date of the transaction. A completed Notice of Canelllation (in duplicate) must be provided to the purchaser at the time they purchase from the seller. You do not need to provide a reason for canceling the order.

For each sale of ten dollars or more, the seller must provide a receipt or contract to the purchaser. Do not leave any blanks on your contract. Be sure the contract or receipt is dated and that it states the terms of the transaction, the amount of payment made and the name and address of the residential seller.

Never be afraid to say “NO!” to high pressure tactics and end your conversation with the salesperson.

Avoid making an immediate purchase in order to receive a “free gift.”

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Update from North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

A neighborhood Block Watch Captain forwarded us this email from newly appointed Terri Johnson, Seattle Police North Precinct Crime Prevention Coorinator, who took over from Diane Horwill, with a summary of her first month in her position.

Terri writes: 

I just completed my first month as your North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator.
In reviewing the residential burglary reports for the past couple of weeks, I noted some trends worth mentioning.


The majority of May’s burglaries occurred through open and unlocked windows/doors. This means that these burglaries may have been prevented if the residents had used their available locks.

We encourage you to keep your windows/doors closed and locked whenever you are away from home, even if you are only dashing out for a quick errand. Limit how far your windows will open by using snug-fitting dowels in the tracks of sliders; sash pins in double-hung windows and track latches. We advise pinning the windows open no more than 4 inches.


A few entries were made through the “dog door”. In many of the forced-entry burglaries, the thief used the victim’s tools to pry open the back door, or threw decorative bricks or rocks from the homeowner’s yard through the window. Burglars love secluded back yards since they allow the thief more time to gain entry.

Most burglaries occur during the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Electronics, jewelry, cash were the main items taken. Car keys, check books and rare collectable sneakers were also reported stolen. Most of the victims could not provide the detectives with neither photographs of the valuables, nor serial numbers of the electronic.

We encourage you to make an Inventory list of your valuables and keep that in a secure location, such as a safety deposit box or safe. Doing so may assist the police in the case of recovering stolen property.


Ready for some good news? Yesterday afternoon a watchful neighbor called 9-1-1 to report a suspicious circumstance. The caller reported seeing two unknown people coming out of her neighbor’s backyard. She was able to give a great description to the call takerof the 2 white males and even provided a partial license plate number to the car in which they left. Patrol officers arrived within minutes and upon searching the house verified it had been burglarized.

Other officers recognized the wanted suspect from the description and drove to the thief’s nearby home. The two suspects were there and arrested. Burglary Detectives from the North Precinct responded to the scene for evidence collection and to further process the scene.

All of this happened because a watchful neighbor trusted her gut feelings that something was wrong and called 9-1-1! Great good work done by all involved.


National Night Out will be on Tuesday, August 2nd this year.

You can read more about Terri here, from a previous post, including the history of CPC coordinators and the shortage in funds to keep the positions going past the end of this year.

Terri Johnson can be reached at 206-684-7711.

New Crime Prevention Coordinator For Laurelhurst And NE Neighborhoods Through The End Of The Year

Terrie Johnston has been newly assigned as Crime Prevention Coordinator (CPC) for the North Precicnt, including Laurelhurst and all neighborhoods in the North Precinct’s jurisdiction.

She is replacing Diane Horswill, the long time Crime Prevention Coordinator for the North Precinct, who lost her position in March due to budget cuts.

Each police precinct in the city has a dedicated crime prevention coordinator which has been part of the police budget until last October, when the positions switched to being paid with by federal grant money.  Last month, Diane and five other crime prevention coordinators from each of the Seattle Police Precincts lost their jobs when the grant money ran out.

The Seattle Police Department recently secured grant funding for a total of four CPCs through the end of this year.

Terrie told us that "back in the day, there were more than 21 Crime Prevention coordinators doing the work city-wide. Budget cuts reduced that number to 14, then to 7 (which we’ve had for the past several years) and alas, now we have been cut down to 3, and have been advised we will no longer be on the Police budget after 12/31/11."

Terrie will have the same responsibilities as Diane, including educating the public on ways to reduce their risk of becoming victims, acting as a liaison between neighborhoods and the police, setting up Block Watch Captains, offering ideas about crime prevetnion, discussing ongoing neighborhood crime problems, serving as a resource in helping to come up with resolutions and coordinating the yearly August Night Out Program for neighborhoods. 

There has not been a press release about the transfers of Crime Prevention Coordinators, but Terrie said she has been told the Chief’s office plans on doing one.

Terrie can be reached at 206-684-7711.