Beach Drive Blog

Car Vandalized on Beach Drive

We received an email from someone who discovered their car was burglarized on the 4700 block of Beach Drive:

I just wanted to inform neighbors of West Seattle Alki of my car that was broken into on the night of Thursday June 25th. I was staying at my friends house who lives on Alki Beach drive [south of] Jacobson street. My car was securely locked and my alarm was on when a burglar had broken in. My passenger side window had been punched in and the my pink bag filled with clothes a orange make up bag and lotions were taken. Nobody in the house had been awaken by my car alarm we think it happened around the time frame of 2:00-4:00 AM.  I have attached pictures of how my car looked when I found it in the morning. I have heard of many other cases like this happening in the past couple weeks and I hope they find the thief soon. I have reported this case to the police and so far nobody has been caught.

 

If you have any information, please contact the Seattle Police.

This also serves as an excellent reminder that Seattle Night Out is happening soon on August 4, 2009.   Do you have plans for your block on Beach Drive?  Share it on the Beach Drive Blog Community Forum.

Summer brings Low Tides

Today's low tide was -3.9 and tomorrow at 11:49 the tides will the lowest of the week at -4.1.

SW Seattle Precinct Public Safety Newsletter

Precinct Public Safety Newsletter

June 18, 2009

Dear Community Friends,

Night Out is now ready for online registration at http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/default.htm.

Summertime Security Tips

During warm weather months, we often see an increase in burglary and theft.  Reasons for this include:

q       Windows at residences left open for ventilation when residents are not home.

q       Unattended open garages while residents are working in the yard or have briefly left the home.

q       Unattended personal belongings while at a park or other recreational venues.

q       Unattended personal belongings visible in our vehicles.

We want to remind you about the potential for an increase in burglary and theft and provide you with concrete steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability.  Please share these tips with your neighbors.

Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened

q       Always close and lock windows whenever away from the home.  If you choose to ventilate your home when you are not home because of the heat, be aware that you are vulnerable and an easy target for the burglar.

q       If you leave windows open enough for ventilation, secure with less than 4” opening with a dowel.  Some windows have stops installed on the inside track, which help prevent the window from being opened too far.  However, some of these are not very sturdy and can be opened given the right amount of force.  Augment those stops with a dowel.  For double hung windows, use sash pins to better secure the windows. 

Lock Your Doors

Install good quality dead bolt locks with at least a 1” throw on all exterior doors.

q       Replace the existing screws in the strike plates and two screws per hinge with 3-4 inch screws.  This will secure the doorframe to the 2x4 framing of the house.  This makes it much more difficult for a person to force open a properly locked door.

Working In The Yard

If working in the yard in the front or back of the home:

q       Do not leave your front door open and/or unlocked.  Close and lock garage and storage unit that is out of your line of sight.  Be mindful of what is in plain view to anyone who may walk or drive by. 

Secure Tools and Ladders

q       Secure all tools, including ladders, so they cannot be used to gain entry into your home or that of a neighbor.

Make it appear that your home is occupied. 

q       You can do this by having timers set within the home that will turn lights on and off.  You may want to consider timers for your exterior lights or photocell attachments (which activate when it gets dark and go off when it becomes light) and motion sensors.

If Away For An Extended Period Of Time

q       Ask a friend or trusted neighbor to watch your home and collect your mail and your newspaper.  If they see suspicious activity, they will know to call 911 for you. 

q       Call Police 625-5011 and ask for a “Request to Watch” for your home while on vacation

Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended

Whether they are in a shopping cart or on a picnic blanket, always maintain positive control over your belongings.  Never leave personal belongings unattended in your vehicle. 

Seattle

has an incredibly high rate of theft of personal property from vehicles, particularly at public parks.

Resources To Keep You Informed

Police Blotter, http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/

Subscribe to SPD: Crime Blotter http://feeds.feedburner.com/SeattlePoliceSouthwestPrecinct

Police Blotter, Megan Sheppard,

West Seattle

Herald

http://www.westseattleherald.com/news/police%20blotter/

West Seattle

Blog, Tracy Record, Editor

http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?page_id=4988

Seattle Police Department main web page

http://www.seattle.gov/police/

Southwest Precinct Web-page

http://www.seattle.gov/police/Precincts/Southwest/default.htm

Seattle

Police Crime Statistics

http://www.cityofseattle.net/police/crime/stats.htm

For More Information Call: Benjamin Kinlow,

Crime Prevention Coordinator, (206) 684-7724 or email benjamin.kinlow@seattle.gov.  Check out www.seattle.gov/police/precincts/southwest/prevention.htm

Just Lurking By...

 

This sub is currently north in Puget Sound.  Hat tip to my neighbor aka Cat Woman.

[FOUND] Lost Dog: Have You Seen Tinkerbelle?

 

Tinkerbelle has two seconds at her new foster in West Seattle and darted away. We must find her.  Can you help spread the word?

 

She left near 3017 SW Elm Grove Street.

 

Shepard mix girl, 2 yrs old, SKITTISH, pink collar, Tinkerbelle

update: Tinkerbelle has been found!  I love happy news.

Beach Drive Blog Community Forums

The Beach Drive Blog Community Forums is a great place to promote yourself.   I recommend using your profile page.  Here's what my profile currently looks like:

 

On the profile page, you have the ability to add links/feeds to your blog or Twitter account.  You can upload photos or videos.  If you click on the "add profile apps" link (it's under my photo above)...you'll be amazed at all the stuff you can do.

Check it out and be sure to invite fellow Beach Drive Neighbors to the community forums.  It is a "members only" site (not public) for the neighborhoods along Beach Drive.  

Beach Drive Blog (this site...where you are at now) is a public site.

Questions?  Ask!

Concerning Fake Cable-Guy on Beach Drive Last Night

West Seattle Blog has a disturbing story about how a man (mis)represented himself as an employee of Comcast when knocking on a door at 7pm last night at Beach Drive and Douglas Place.

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Warm summer nights breeds opportunity for criminals when doors and windows are left open.  In this case, Chris from Beach Drive was taking a nap when the stranger awoke him knocking on the door.  I do encourage you to read the entire post at West Seattle Blog and to call the Police when you suspect something's not right.

There is the season... Tern Tern Tern.

A true sign of summer is when the Terns appear to fish to Puget Sound.

 

 

 

 

DejaVu All Over Again: Early June Weather

Remember that storm in early June last year?  I do...the spray from the salt savaged my tomato plants and several trees.  Tonights blast of wind is pretty amazing too.    I must admit, as someone who likes to share a "barking dog report" when the weather changes on us; this one caught me by surprise.   One moment, I was enjoying a beautiful sunset with my husband on the deck... and then my Sister-in-Law calls from Woodmont to ask if the wind has hit us yet...during our call it did!

West Seattle Blog is reporting that parts of North Admiral may be out of power (our lights have flickered while writing this post).

Editors Note:  I'm posting live from my laptop as I write this just in case we lose power, internet, etc.

All this hot sunny weather has had my "barking dog" reports taking a comfy snooze...but not Cliff Mass...his post from today says all Hell is breaking loose!

Tour Alki on a Bike Tour this Sunday

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society (SWSHS) invites residents to bike into history as the 2nd Annual SWSHS Bike Tour returns to West Seattle Sunday, June 7, 2009, 12:30 to 2 p.m. The Bike Tour accompanies SWSHS’ popular Walking Tour series, showcasing some of West Seattle’s most influential landmarks. Beginning at the Log House Museum on Alki Beach, the Bike Tour is a casual 5-mile bike ride around the Duwamish Peninsula via Alki and Harbor Avenues and West Marginal Way. Featured sites on the route include the Log House Museum, the newly reconstructed Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, Alki Beach, Anchor Park (formerly Luna Park) and the new Duwamish Longhouse on West Marginal Way. Admission to the Bike Tour is $7for non-members, $5 for museum members. Donations are accepted. The Log House Museum is located at 3003 61st Avenue SW, a half-block off Alki Avenue. Participants are encouraged to register by contacting Sarah Frederick at (206) 938-5293 or shop@loghousemuseum.org. For more information about SWSHS, log on to www.loghousemuseum.org.