Unsettling news for our neighborhood…
3400 block (W Ruffner and W Bertona) had a break-in and an attempted break-in last week:
Not just one, but two more homes were vandalized in past days! First home had a window frame damaged via a tool but no entry gained, whereas entrance was gained on the second home through a window.
Both incidents were carried out at the back of the homes, entering from lighted side walkways, thru gates. It seems bold; many homes were occupied on the street during incidents and neighboring homes share open walkways to gates.
Police were prompt in attending scene after it was called in. Police suggested it is likely the suspect(s) live in the vicinity as there have been several incidents now within a few blocks.
And this one:
Some of you already know this…there was an attempted break in on 39th between Ruffner and Emerson. They were not home at the time.
And also an attempted break in at the vacant house on the west side of the street. Not?sure if that was the same time. Possibly on Monday. The police were out tonight and are making a report. We need to be vigilant and report to the neighbors so we are all aware and watch out for everyone? especially the homes where folks are at work all day.
Terrie Johnston, Crime Prevention Coordinator for the West and East Precinct writes:
Dear Block Watchers:? The number of reported residential burglaries on Queen Anne and Magnolia is the same this year as last year?s rate.? However, when several homes are hit on one day, or when a block is unaccustomed to crime and it happens there, neighbors get justifiably concerned.? I write in hopes of sharing some preventative measures in order to lower your risk of becoming the next victim. With the approaching holiday season, we are going to see many of our neighbors out of town, many more thefts of mail/pkgs., more solicitors and frankly just more of everything.? It?s a good time to review our best practices.
Locks:? Please use the locks/ latches you have.? Many of the burglaries that occurred this past month were made through unlocked windows.? Some had screens that the burglar simply removed to then gain entry. ??Even if you are going to be gone just a short time, lock up!
Exterior doors should be secured with a dead-bolt lock with at least a 1?throw. The doors should be strong enough to withstand excessive force. The door?s hardware such as strike plates and frames need to be anchored to the homes main construction.? We recommend a wide-angle peephole on the main entrance door.
Windows😕 Sliding doors/windows can be fortified with a snug-fitting dowel placed in the lower track. ??Ensure windows are closed and locked prior to leaving home? If your valuables are visible from the sidewalk, consider closing the blinds when you are away.
Shrubbery😕 Burglars love secluded backyards.? Keep your shrubs and trees trimmed to allow for greatest visibility.? Consider motion-sensitive lighting for side and rear areas of your home.
Door Answering😕 Since many burglars knock on doors to ascertain whether anyone?s home, it is imperative you always answer the door.? By this I MEAN, talk through the door, don?t open it!
Home alone?? Bluff!? Yell out, ?Honey, I?ll get it!?? or whatever words you can use that might indicate there are others in the house.? Then, by talking through the door, you can say you?re on a conference call; you are contagious; or your pet snakes are out of their tanks, etc. ?Model this for your kids.? They may be home alone and find themselves in this situation.? It is not rude to talk through the door and it may save yourself a face-to-face encounter with a burglar.
Mail Theft😕 Already the reports of stolen packages from porches and multi-family dwellings are being made.? I researched alternatives to home delivery of my packages and found there are many ways to minimize this popular crime.? It is possible to track delivery of your pkg. which may allow being home then.? Can you arrange for the package to be sent to another location, such as a FedEx office or perhaps your workplace?? Could you tip off a trusted neighbor to sign for you, should a package come when you are away?? Talk to your neighbors and see if they?d be willing to store the package inside their home until you get back or instruct them to place it unseen on the side or back.
9-1-1😕 Cannot stress enough the importance of reporting all suspicious activity to 9-1-1.? It?s okay if what you are reporting turns out to be nothing. You don?t know what is prevented by getting the patrol car into the neighborhood.? ?9-1-1 is not just for emergencies, it is for all police reporting and that includes suspicious activity. This is how many of our burglars and car prowlers are caught.
Block Watch:? Did you know that statistics show one is more likely to call 9-1-1 to help a neighbor out, if they know that neighbor?s name?? Even though Block Watch was created to help reduce burglaries, knowing your neighbors and agreeing to watch out for them just makes sense.? Natural emergencies, power outages, landslides, etc. are additional reasons we need to stay together as a neighborhood. We may have to wait for first responders to get to our ?neck of the woods? and our neighbors may be our salvation.
Inventory Lists:? itemizing your valuables and noting serial numbers; model and/or photos of jewelry, art, bikes, etc. is helpful to follow-up detectives.? Stolen property is often recovered without a chance of returning to the rightful owner.
Please avail yourselves of the many on-line resources SPD has available to you such as spdblotter.seattle.gov or our Twitter account @SeattlePD.? Our main SPD website, seattle.gov/police has many resources and other online services such as ?tweets-by-beat?; our Facebook page and online crime maps .
You can always contact me for Block Watch, to request a free home security survey or with any public safety questions.? I thank you for your continued interest in crime prevention.
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