UPDATE 9/9: Terrie Johnston, the North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator with the Seattle Police Department, got back to me after this post was published. She has a theory as to why the images have not yet been obtained by SPD and will investigate further. But she wants us to know that SPD will gladly take evidence of crime in the neighborhood. I’ll be working behind the scenes to connect her with Tina or the QFC team. Hopefully, SPD will have some footage in their hands soon. Terrie can be reached at (206) 684-7711 or terrie.johnston at seattle dot gov
Wallyhood friend & neighbor Tina tells us she was the victim of a smash and grab in the QFC parking lot on 45th last night, around 9:45pm. She said QFC staff thinks there’s been an increase in smash & grabs over the past two weeks, including one on Monday evening around midnight.
Suspects are a male and female in a black SUV. The MO: smashing the driver’s side windows of vehicles ONLY when something is visible on the front seat. Tina lost a backpack with nothing in it but a towel, and a phone containing hard-to-replace photos. Could the culprits be the “Black Escalade” folks who were asking pedestrians for money before mugging them earlier this year?
Tina also told us that QFC has the bandits on tape, but the Seattle Police Department has not been willing to view the tapes. And they were not willing to take her report in person, but required her to call SPD during business hours to report the loss.
I’ve left a message for SPD’s North Precinct asking if there is something they can do to respond, or if there’s something we as a neighborhood can do. If they tell me anything that adds to this story, I’ll let you know. Otherwise, don’t leave anything on the front seat of an unattended vehicle.
I know, I know. We already know not to leave stuff in parked cars. But think about it — last night at 7:45 I almost left an empty backpack in a friend’s car long enough to run into the liquor store for 5 seconds. And then I caught myself, out of concern for her windows. Catch yourself, folks! And watch out for black SUVs, I guess.
Ed. note: QFC staff weren’t able to comment for this story, but were really nice about it.
Between the crime and the high prices at the Wallingford QFC, it’s no wonder why I go to Ballard to get my groceries.
I do the same, Marcel. Never thought I’d say that after moving to Wallingford FROM Ballard a year ago. Even considering the cost of gas, it’s worth it.
After a few years of this my girlfriend and I have started to just leave our cars unlocked – better than replacing the windows, and it reminds us not to leave anything the cars that we wouldn’t want to give away.
UPDATE 9/9: Terrie Johnston, the North Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator with the Seattle Police Department, got back to me after this post was published. She has a theory as to why the images have not yet been obtained by SPD and will investigate further. But she wants us to know that SPD will gladly take evidence of crime in the neighborhood. I’ll be working behind the scenes to connect her with Tina or the QFC team. Hopefully, SPD will have some footage in their hands soon. Terrie can be reached at (206) 684-7711 or terrie.johnston at seattle dot gov
lets face it.. the traffic of people asking for handouts in front of QFC increased about a year ago when the homeless shelter began at grace church. There were many promises .. all broken.. regarding safety, updfates, returning calls etc.. ALL BROKEN!
So how is it a surprise that crime has increased?
is Wallingford QFC more expensive than Ballard’s QFC?
I’m asking sharad’s question now, too. We’re on foot/bus all the time, but if Ballard is cheaper for the same shopping… hmmm.
@kolokolo – I haven’t noticed anything different since the shelter opened, and I live a block from it.
Earlier this year, when a drunk guy sideswiped me in traffic, then at the next light tried to drag me out of the car, Seattle PD never showed up to answer the 911 call, and reluctantly sent a patrolman to my office the next day to take a statement, never called any of the 5 witnesses.. I’m hardly surprised they won’t look at security footage on a smash-n-grab.
Kolokolo I really doubt that the pukes braking into cars are homeless.
@kolokolo The panhandling in front of QFC & Bartell’s has always been denser than it should be. I haven’t felt it increased, and actually have seen a tad bit less panhandling there lately.
i shop there 4-6 times a week.. lots of free time with no work..
sometimes I am accosted by 3 different people or groups at QFC
in front of Bartells sometimes there are 2 or 3 different people needing help
The real problem is not the increase of panhandlers in front of QFC and Bartell’s. The real problem is that the Seattle Police Department is not the least bit interested in doing anything about petty crime in our neighborhoods. I live two blocks from the North Precinct and cars are stolen and broken into all the time around here. Best thing to do is leave your car unlocked and nothing on the seat to steal. That way you might lose some chump change in the console but you will save a $400.00 window.
12: kolokolo, what kind/s of work will work for you?
I shop at the Ballard Fred Meyer, not the QFC.
I want to thank the folks who posted their experiences with the Seattle PD’s lack of responsiveness. That information is not nice to hear, but it’s important.
Take the 44 and go to either the U District Trader Joes or the Ballard Trader Joes for cheaper shopping.
thanks nancy,
i am on several lists for possible sub teaching. (wait, wait, wait.. still waiting one district over a year!) lists to bartend for catering companies .. i was a uscensus manager, previous math/reading specialist in seattle before i left to help elder mother. on returning not much seems to be available. oh, and anyone can see typing is not my forte. i have done lots of catering, sales, teaching, etc.. and NO I wont work for sylvan- their hours do not alllow sub teaching which ultimately will pay betterin that 3 months. They are also not so organized. I am not alonein a recession, trying to figureout what to do. I will apply to the new restaurant this week.
Hiya-We’ve had a huge increase in car break-ins and garden trashings at ~36th &
Meridian. Nothing serious, but annoying. When I finally got thru to the SPD on the
non-emergent line, they were not so much help. It would be great if we could have
more middle of the night police presence.
The biggest problem with SPD “unresponsiveness” is that SPD is understaffed by at least 30 to 50 officers. Of medioum sized cities we have one of the lowest officer-to-citizen ratios in the country. A couple years ago one of the City Councilmembers was holding hearings on this, which were abruptly halted after a meeting with the mayor and “civic leaders” (i.e. real estate people afraid of high-crime publicity). Along with the Police Guild leaders who are against adding more officers (that would cut down on massive overtime being earned by some officers), it’s not surprising that our overworked police and SPD adminsitrators have a low priority for non-violent property crimes. Unfortunately, it’s only going to get worse before it gets better.