Reminder To Clean Up After Dogs

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published this information in a recent newsletter:

Please scoop the poop!
Your neighbors will appreciate it.  Our park and yards are experiencing an increase in failures of owners to scoop. Let’s make them poop-free zones. Be a considerate dog owner.
Also please do not leave your dog unattended outdoors if it barks all day. Unchecked barking is stressful and annoying to those nearby. The dog is probably not too happy about it either.

Neighbors commented:

Please remember to only use the waste cans that are either yours or ones furnished by the City. The waste cans at the bus stops are not to be used for the disposal of  dog waste.  Notices have been placed on the Metro waste cans to not use them for pet waste. 

We have lived in this area for for 30 years and are noticing more and more that people are not scooping up after their dogs.  Today we returned home after a nice lunch out and inadvertently stepped into some on our lawn before coming into our house.  Cleaning up after this was a real downer.  Can we remind folks that there is a fine for not taking care of their dogs....thanks

Please don’t put your bagged dog poop in garbage cans that have been emptied on garbage day - or even worse, in an empty recycling container that is still on the curb!

Please dog owners, use your own garbage can to dispose of your pet's poo. I don't appreciate your calling card in my can.

Please be respectful and clean up after your dogs, especially in driveway approaches and sidewalks.  Watch if your dog stops instead of continuing to keep jogging or walking and pick up the waste.   

Recently in the park and on the streets around Laurelhurst Elementary there has been an increase in pet waste in the pedestrian areas.    

There seems to be an increase of dog owners not picking up waste in the neighborhood and also on the paths in the park.  We regularly pick up other dogs' feces each time we see it.  It is our expectation, and per Seattle City law, that dog owners pick up after their pets, no exceptions. 

Please be courteous and clean up after your pet. We have a great neighborhood to take walks and children to play.  Let's all do our part in keeping our neighborhood a pleasant environment for all of us. 

We have lived in this area for over three decades  and are noticing more and more that people are not scooping up after their dogs. We have stepped in it several times in the lawn in front of our house. Please pick up after your dog.  

Please pick up after your dogs, it is your YOUR responsibility, no one else's, Don't be lazy. It is hazardous, neglectful and not courteous.

Seattle Public Utilities reports on its website: 

·         We have more than 125,000 dogs and 60,000 outdoor cats in Seattle. That amounts to about 50,000 lbs. of pet waste every day.

·         Left on streets, curb strips and in yards and parks, pet waste can be carried by rainwater to storm drains and into our creeks, lakes and Puget Sound without treatment. It is one of the leading causes of bacterial contamination in our streams and causes other water quality problems just like livestock manure and fertilizer. 

·         There are bacteria and micro-organisms in pet waste such as Roundworms, E. coli, and Giardia that can make people sick if they’re ingested. Some can last in your yard for as long as four years if not cleaned up.  

·         Children who play outside and adults who garden are at greatest risk of infection. If pet waste is washed into the storm drain it ends up in lakes, streams or marine water, and people can accidentally swallow bacteria and other disease-causing organisms while swimming or playing in the water. These bacteria also end up in shellfish and can make the people who eat them very sick. 

·         Put pet waste in a plastic bag, seal it, and throw it in the garbage- not in the yard waste! There are also Mutt Mitt (pdf) dispensers located around the City. The next time you're out walking your pet, take advantage of this free resource to help keep our waterways clean. 

·         There are laws in Seattle to protect our health and our environment which require pet waste to be picked up and disposed of properly.

Here are applicable Seattle City laws relating to Offenses of Safety and Sanitation:

·         $109 Allowing accumulation of feces SMC 9.25.082 (A)

·         $54 Not removing feces from another’s property SMC 9.25.0822 (B)

·         $54 Not having equipment to remove feces  SMC 9.25.082 (C)

·         $54 In Parks: Failure to carry equipment for removing feces OR failure to place feces in appropriate receptacle. SMC 18.12.080 (C)

Go here for more information.

Time to Subscribe To The Laurelhurst Security Patrol 2011

The Laurelhurst Community Club Crime Prevention Co-Chairs sent us email that subscription to the LCC Security Patrol is now underway.

The service has received a positive response from the neighborhood, since starting in 2009, and has been effective in helping to deter unwanted activity by adding another layer of security to the neighborhood.

The cost for one year is $200 and neighbors can join anytime throughout the year. The number of hours and days the patrol works is dependent on the number of subscribers.  Neighbors can sign up securely with the on-line payment option 
or by sending a check to Laurelhurst Community Club.

The patrol boundaries cover the entire neighborhood area south of Sand Point Way to Mary Gates Way to NE 55th Street.

Included in household annual subscription:

• Patrolling by officers who are off-duty, uniformed Seattle Police, who use unmarked vehicles, carry police 911 radios and work 6 nights a week for a 5 hour shift
• Vacation check by patrol who perform walk around of residential property securing doors, exposed packages, etc. 
• Subscriber's concerns relayed to officers before each shift
• Special email alerts and reminders from LCC Crime Prevention 

Along with providing property checks, the patrol cruises throughout the neighborhood looking for any suspicious activity at the park, Beach Club, churches and school. This year,  LCC Crime Prevention told us that they have interrupted late night parties at the park, checked on suspicious vehicles and kept a watchful eye out for car prowlers.

The success of the Patrol depends on the neighborhood's participation. The more neighbors that subscribe, the more areas of Laurelhurst can be patrolled effectively.

The patrol does not replace calling 911. Always call 911 first in any emergency or for suspicious criminal activity.

For details on how to subscribe and more information go here.  You can also email crimeprevention@laurehurstcc.com with questions.

Crime prevention is a major priority of the Laurelhurst Community Club and we will do all we can do make Laurelhurst a safe place to live," says the LCC website.

Tonight Laurelhurst Community Club Annual Neighbors Meeting

Tonight from 6:45-9pm is the Laurelhurst Community Club Annual Neighbors Meeting at the Laurelhurst Community Center.

Looks like some interesting agenda items are lined up.

One of them being an update from the hospital on the upcoming expansion and an opportunity to ask questions.

Here is the agenda for the meeting:

6:45 Reception: Visit with neighbors and view the new model for Children’s proposed expansion.

7:00 Welcome and Community Club Business
· Welcom, Jeannie Hale, LCC President
· Treasurer’s Report, Marian Joh
· Nominating Committee Report, Emily Dexter
· Election of Trustees

7:15 UW Botanic Gardens Update: Dr. Tom Hinckley, Director, School of Forest Resources, and Wendy Kelley, Philanthropy Officer. Learn about the many changes at the UW Botanical Gardens and the opportunities for neighbor involvement.

7:30 Get Ready for Tolling on SR 520: Janet Matkin, WSDOT Toll Division Communications Manager. What to expect and how to prepare for tolling. How will all- electronic tolling work? What is a Good to Go! account and how does it work?

8:00 Seattle Children’s Hospital Expansion: Lisa Brandenburg, Senior VP and Chief Administrative Officer, Suzanne Petersen Tanneberg, VP of External Affairs and Guest Services, and Bob Zimmerman, Architect for ZGF. See a model of Children’s proposed expansion and get your questions answered.

8:15 Emergency Preparedness--Are you ready for the big one? Debbie Goetz, Training Specialist, Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP). What would you do after a disaster such as a major earthquake if the bridges were unsafe for travel and there was no electricity? Learn how to take care of your family and neighbors.

8:55 Adjourn

Some Info on the Laurelhurst Private Security Project

Cary Pillo, Crime Prevention Coordinator, with the Laurelhurst Community Club, sent us some interesting info on the current Laurelhurst Security Project.

Starting last month, the boundaries were expanded to cover the entire neighborhood area south of Sand Point Way from Mary Gates Way to NE 55th Street. In addition, the plan is to expand coverage to 6 nights a week, depending on the number of subscribers.

Here is a letter describing the project and a map of covered areas.

Cary tells us the patrol was started in 2008 and modeled after Windermere's program.

"When it first started, the patrols only worked three nights a week and covered mainly Webster Point and the Laurelhurst neighborhood in that area.

In 2009, the patrol area expanded to include Laurelhurst south of the park and the Town of Yesler neighborhood (the homes located between Surber near the Center for Urban Horticulture and Sandpoint). Now we have expanded to cover all of Laurelhurst and plan on having patrols work 5 or 6 days a week for 5 to 6 hour shifts.

The officers are off-duty Seattle Police. They are in uniform, armed, and patrol using their own unmarked vehicles equipped with radios to monitor 911 calls.

They patrol throughout the neighborhood during their shifts. Generally they work in the late evenings or early morning hours but some day time patrols will be scheduled.

When you sign up, you can request a property check of your home while you are away. The officers keep logs and so far, most of the activity has been to discourage late-night teen loitering and cruising, checking property while subscribers are away, closing open car and garage doors and securing packages.

It is difficult to assess if property crime has decreased since our patrol has started. Property and nuisance crime occurs in waves and we have not had the patrol long enough to get a solid amount of data. Also, many people do not file police reports or always contact LCC regarding crimes.

We encourage everyone to file a police report when a property or nuisance crime occurs since we do get monthly crime reports from SPD.

Generally the patrols do not enter the park because of legal issues, however, they do patrol the perimeter and will call 911 if they see any illegal activity within the park. Some of the neighbors living near the park have observed decreased nuisance activities. We believe that this may be the result of increased awareness of the security patrols.

ALWAYS CALL 911 FIRST in any situation that may require a police or emergency response. The patrols do not replace 911 - they are an additional layer of crime prevention for the neighborhood.

You may sign up for the patrol any time during the year here.

The cost is $200 for the 2010 calendar year. When you subscribe you can request a property check while you are away by emailing crimeprevention@laurelhurstcc.com

You will receive monthly email updates through Constant Contact. You can also email us at the crime prevention address with questions, patrol related issues or to report a crime after you have filed a police report.

You may also mail a check for $200 payable to the Laurelhurst Community Club, PMB #373, 4616 25th AVE NE, Seattle 98105. If you mail in your payment, please include a note with your name, address, email, and emergency phone number."

Thanks Cary and the Crime Prevention Team for this great information and efforts in keeping our neighborhood safe.