Again, not with the “aah, crime! aaah, crime!” sensationalism, but when we hear about patterns, it’s worth making sure people are aware. Jake N. wrote:
In broad daylight, we were parked at the entrance to Meridian Playground, East side of Street facing North, between N 48th Street and N 49th Street. We were in the park for less than 2 hours and when coming back to vehicle, found the rear passenger window broken in and our purse stolen. Between 1:30 – 3:30 pm this afternoon, Monday, Aug. 29th. They stole our Maroon/black purse. Nothing else was tampered with in our Volvo XC90. We had left the purse on the back seat, which had a tinted window. The person(s) who stole the purse left nothing behind in the vehicle. We spoke with another couple nearby who said there vehicle had been stolen recently from a nearby street. Patrols need to be increased in this area. Talked to the police and they noted there was nothing they could really do.
Sorry, Jake. What a rotten end to a day in the park.
I always thought of Wallingford as being safe, friendly and neighborly. However, having lived here for two years and experiencing three break-ins, I’m feeling uneasy. Our first apartment was broken into (Woodland & Allen). Then my boyfriends car window was smashed in near 40th and 1st. And my car window was broken into on Stone and 40th under my apartment complex (unsecured however) just a few weeks ago. Both landlords and police alike couldn’t help us, and even though they said they’d post signs and let our neighbors know, that never took place. It’s unfortunate that break-ins keep happening to good people. I agree, more patrols would be nice. I’d like to see them focusing on break-in’s rather than providing 10 motorcycle cops doing speed traps on Stone Way.
Our van’s window was smashed a week ago last Sunday night at 42nd and Woodlawn. They didn’t take a thing, just smashed it for the heck of it. Then two nights later a person was knocking on the door and screaming he needed help with a guy who was trying to beat him up and who had taken his girlfriend (I called the cops).
why would you leave a purse out in plain sight? break ins are going to happen whether it’s fremont, magnolia or ballard but don’t give them any more reason to do it.
Smash and grabs are not infrequent near the Meridian park. We live on Sunnyside Ave and hear about a few smash a grabs each year of people parked in front of the Good Shepherd Ctr. I haven’t heard of many of our neighbors getting hit however, as I think most are aware of the problem and leave nothing tempting in their cars, not even for a few minutes. It’s not just Wallingford, Greenlake also has not infrequent smash and grabs. I think more cop patrol are unlikely to happen or be frequent enough to help. Neighborhood vigilance and talking and posting info by neighbors is more helpful. There has a been a lot of folks camping in the park this summer, and sometimes that is associated with a rash of car prowls but I have not heard neighbors complaining about car prowls this summer.
If you don’t want it stolen, keep it out of sight. Nothing to be done about vandalism. Unfortunately this is life in the city.
My Dodge Neon was parked on 47th, between Meridian and Burke, about two weeks ago. My cars’ doors don’t lock reliably, but I never leave anything of value inside. I noticed my car had obviously been messed with as all the contents in my glove compartment had been thrown about. A bit unnerving, but I’m lucky that the windows weren’t busted!
I have had my car broken in to twice, broad daylight as well. I am always amazed that anyone would think this is ok behavior and just happens in the city. Vandalism is on the rise because their is no punishment, which there should be. Look down this street and see all the wonderful businesses that have grafity cut in to the glass of their establishment. If the city of Seattle has time to hand out parking tickets at $48 a pop it sure could take the time to make sure we are safe and secure in our homes and businesses. As well as WE as a neighborhood owe it to one another to look out for each other and make sure we are all safe in Wallingford.
I’m sorry to hear about these upsetting events, and wish that more could be done to prevent them, catch thieves, etc.
I second the notion that we can all try to help one another by being aware of what’s going on around us and having concern for our neighbors–which necessitates getting to know them and knowing who should be around!
I also think that it is important to always report these crimes! Even if the police don’t have the resources to do anything, my understanding is that reports are used to know where crime is happening and allocate resources. Even if that doesn’t happen now, presumably it could happen if more resources become available. I experienced the unofficial “welcome to Miami” (someone smashing in your car window to steal something) when I lived there a few years ago. We had nothing in the car so the motivation was a bit puzzling, and we decided not even to bother reporting it because I couldn’t imagine a cop would come and I didn’t know how long you would have to wait for one. But I have always regretted it because I now know that the reports themselves have value.
Take heart, get to know your neighbors, and look out for each other.
You can report property vandalism if it is under $500 on an online report form and the cops don’t come out. It was really easy to do when I did it last week.
http://www.seattle.gov/spd/report/default.htm
Don’t leave anything in plain sight not even spare change or CD cases.
Last Thursday morning I came out to my car parked on 43rd at Sunnyside and TWO windows were smashed but the doors still locked. My $500 deductible paid for a stupid thief to steal an iPod circa 2003.
Great tip, Angi and poozler. Thanks!
To all those that don’t like informing your neighbors for fear of “crime sensationalism” and to the people with the “it’s just part of life in the city; get over it” attitude towards crime and criminals: You are a significant part of the problem by enabling it.
1. If you see obvious suspicious person(s) in the neighborhood : Get their description, photo if possible, call it into the police as a “suspicious persons” report, then inform your neighbors (using this list) providing description and photos if possible (so we all will recognize them).
2. Bums and drug addicts (they almost always go hand-in-hand) camping out in the parks (Gas Works, Meridian, etc…). Call the police and report them. All parks have signs posted that it’s trespassing to be there after-hours. Parks are for families; would you let your kids play in the park without close supervision? The answer is no and you know why, but do nothing about it.
3. Keep your outdoor lights on. Walking through Wallingford at night is very strange, almost no one has exterior lighting in the front of back of their homes. Why? Trying to stop global warming? Just get some energy efficient lighting or motion activated lighting. Dark home exteriors are very inviting to criminals. If the exterior of my home is well lit but my neighbors aren’t, which house will the criminal select? I’m sure you can guess.
4. Lock your doors and windows. Many thieves simply look for unlocked/open doors and windows rather than resort to breaking or smashing things. All through they are both the same crimes, they feel like it’s a lesser crime it they don’t have to break anything. Why break in when you can just walk/climb in?
5. Keep all your valuables out of sight in you car, regardless if you are just going to be away from your car for a few minutes.
6. Wallingford is pretty safe during the day, but as they say “the freaks come out at night”. If you walk or jog alone at night take your dog, some pepper spray (10% concentration), a very bright tactical flashlight (100+ lumens) or a firearm if you have a permit. The dog is the best option (if it’s big) as criminals will avoid you. Yes the chances of needing to use the pepper spray or firearm as very, very slim, but it the situation escalates to a violent attack there is no substitute and it could save your life if you are proficient with their use.
*Yawn* Wow, thanks “Rebecca.”
My car was broken into at the Shoreline Library last January, broad daylight (11:00am), I was dropping a couple books off outside in the depository. I was about 30 feet away and gone for 70 sec. In eye site of my car. I left everything on the front seat, because I wasn’t going inside. As I walked back to my car I noticed a large black SUV very tinted windows pulling out then driving off very fast, thought it seemed very strange. Got back to my car and the window was smashed, they stole my computer, purse, and I pod. I didn’t hear glass break and there were people in the parking lot, It was a Saturday and busy. No one NOTICED or helped me, Just kept walking. SAD! Shoreline Police told me there are big crime rings that specialize in this type of theft. They have a driver, and watchers. They target women usually that are alone. Parks, Libraries, and such.
In regards to theft, I work in Green Lake, Wallingford, and things get stolen around here all of the time. Be prudent, and don’t leave anything in plain sight.
I lived across the street from the Good Sheppard Center for a few years, parks are havens for homeless people, drug addicts and teenagers that want a place to hang out and smoke pot and make noise. Life in the “big city.” Get used to it, have insurance and don’t be stupid.
You’re absolutely right, Rebecca.
I have been calling police regularly to report what appears to be a permanent camp site for homeless on the north side of the park. Please others need to call also. It would be a shame for people to become afraid of this park, and there is a tipping point. I plan to contact Good Shepherd Center and Meridian School to enlist their support. This cannot all be blamed on the “campers”. We need to report crimes so that we can encourage the city to beef up security in the area. If they can bust off-leash dogs in Wallingford Park, they can keep people from “camping” illegally in one of our best, varied well used parks–Meridian.
It’s a little disturbing to read that Rebecca (and others?) think that carrying a firearm while walking her dog around my neighborhood is an appropriate or necessary form of self-protection.
Sure, you can envision scenarios in which that gun just might save your life. (The more television you watch, the easier it is to imagine such gruesome scenes.) But I can more easily envision a situation in which an innocent person accidentally startles Rebecca and suffers the consequences of a trigger finger on high alert. Very sad.
A well-trained CPL holder is not a trigger-happy “gun nut”. The truly sad fact here is that predators exist, and they are counting on victims’ inability to defend themselves.
Well, I thought I’d be polite and wait a couple of days, but I just have to say, what part of “the purse on the back seat” doesn’t say “steal me”??? Put it in the trunk or take it with you. Or leave the windows down with a note that says, “Please Take Me.”
Our daughter got her car broken in by someone that just wanted the quarter in the cup-holder she had all ready for the meter. Just can’t leave anything in sight.
I do agree with Rebecca about being on top of stuff, but not on the firearms. Let’s not encourage that in Wallingford. Just keep the porch lights on.
Thank you Rebecca!!!