(I know, I just wrote that we’re done here, but lots of folks had been asking about the helicopters over Wallingford the other night, and this story of a going on in the neighborhood needs to be shared.)
On Sunday, Ian wrote:
Thought your readers might be interested to know that we had an attempted burglary at our house on the 3600 block of Bagley Avenue this evening. My wife and I were watching TV in our living room when I heard movement upstairs and went up to discover a man in our upstairs hallway – we have a second-floor entrance to the back of our house which we’d accidentally left unlocked earlier in the day, which he’d come in by.
I had a tussle with the man, who was white, about six foot tall, with dark hair and a narrow face. I held onto him for a while but he managed to get away before the police arrived at the house (that helicopter you may have heard on Saturday night was searching for him). Fortunately we disturbed him before he managed to take anything, and he was unarmed, so things turned out well for us.
From the way he reacted when I caught him, he struck me as an opportunistic thief who’d been prowling around and discovered that our back door was unlocked, rather than a professional house-breaker – though he did have a crowbar with him. So it may be good for folks to keep an eye out.
I was out with my dog on the 2100 block of 38th St (between Meridian and Bagley) when a police suv came west on 38th from Bagley, lights flashing but no sirens. The car hesitated and took a look at me. I watched it drive to 38th and Wallingford, where it stopped, blocking both streets. Helicopter arrived moments later. I scurried back home as I had left my own door unlocked. I won’t do that again, and I’ll also carry my phone with me!
Dear Ian,
Thanks for letting us know and I am so glad you and your wife are OK!!!
There’s update to this story, which makes it even stranger – the next day, I discovered a note in my mailbox from the burglar, apologizing for the damage he’d caused (he’d actually forced his way in through a different door, which we hadn’t noticed the night before), and including $13 (all he had, according to the note) by way of compensation.
He had actually seemed very remorseful when I’d caught him the night before, though at the time I couldn’t tell if he was just spinning me a line to persuade me not to call the police. But his note certainly made it seem like he was genuinely sorry. Whether I managed to put him off a career in house-breaking, I’ll probably never know. But now I am curious about the circumstances of this young man than caused him to do something that seems like it went against his nature.
Hi Ian, I would love to chat with you about your experience for KIRO Radio / MyNorthwest.com. Please give me a call or shoot me an email. Thanks.
Richard Oxley
KIRO Radio / MyNorthwest
206-726-6840
[email protected]
Whoah, this is so scary. Glad you are safe. Just another reminder to always keep an eye out for suspicious behavior in the area and never be shy to report it. On another note, I just installed a super sweet automatic light timer for our porch. Let me know if you want help installing it! Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B 7-Day Solar Time Table Programmable Switch for Lights and Motors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AP92N2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_oxCOwb31V2VBC
There was another burglary attempt (forced entry) at 37th & Burke this past weekend at one of the homes near Cantinetta – Saturday midday around 1230p. The residents were home apparently (but I don’t have all the details). The police officer was still gathering the facts. Hopefully the new couple that moved in will come forward with more information…
Sadly, the rash of crime in lower Wallingford and apparent drug trafficking and usage (behind the church at 37th & Burke) with needles regularly hastily discarded on the street, is certainly raising concerns about safety (and our false sense of security) in our neighborhood.
Encourage everyone to be vigilant.
Ironically, front page of the Seattle times today..Neighborhood hiring private security.
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/citizen-anti-crime-movement-afoot-in-seattles-neighborhoods/
Not sure where our tax dollars are going if they can’t fund education and police protection…Seems to be the two key principles for which we have a local municipal government…
A car in the parking lot behind Wells Fargo was stolen Friday morning, and another car was prowled.
That Wells Fargo parking lot is a good place to skateboard, although it’s no Chase Bank. Glad to hear no one was hurt in the break in. Glad the thief was remorseful.
Gosh, thank you so much for reporting this, and to all the other responses. This proves how much we need an electronic vehicle to alert each other to what is happening in our neighborhood. Many people have small children in their homes, others live alone. Is there ANY WAY we can make this happen?
At 40th & Eastern, westbound stop, is a white plastic bag full of needles and syringes.,,
North Precinct Advisory Council
Social Services Committee
invites community members to a free training
How to Safely Remove Used Syringes from a Public Area
Saturday, February 20
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
University Masonic Lodge
4338 University Way NE
Joe Tinsley, Needle Exchange Coordinator for Seattle-King County Public Health, will talk about the risks, proper handling, and disposal of used needles. A limited number of sharps containers and garbage pickers will be available for participants.
For more information and to RSVP, contact NPAC Social Services Committee volunteer Michael Cuadra at [email protected]
Why: Methamphetamine (meth) and heroin are the most common drugs confiscated by police during north Seattle drug enforcement activities and are the most common reason people in King County call the Recovery Help Line. Heroin and meth-related deaths in King County have risen sharply since 2013 as have heroin-related admissions to substance abuse treatment programs. One way this increase in heroin and meth abuse and addiction is showing up in our communities is as an increase in used and discarded needles in public places.
This free training will provide community members who regularly see discarded needles in public places with the information they need to safely dispose of them. While certainly not a solution for preventing and reducing drug abuse, the training can provide neighbors with information needed to keep public areas clean and safe.
Other resources:
• Needles in parks: Call the Seattle Parks Department Maintenance Request Line: 206-684-7250.
• Needles on other city-owned land/facilities: During regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call the SPU Illegal Dumping Hotline: 206-684-7587.
Who: The North Precinct Advisory Council (NPAC) meets the first Wednesday of every month, 7:00 p.m., at North Seattle College. NPAC members represent north Seattle community groups and businesses and meetings are open to the public. More information at http://seattlenpac.blogspot.com.
The same thing happened at my house near Catinetta on Jan 22. The intruder pushed the back door open and my dog went crazy which I think scared him away. I filed a police report and have installed a camera/ alarm system.
Would we be open to hiring security? I would happily pay for that. If we become to much trouble than it worth I feel like people will move out. Or setting up neighborhood watch? I can head this if needed.
With the police the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I encourage everyone to keep license plates of those using drugs and record the time and date. We can submit these to the police. Let’s clean this place up and keep ourselves safe! I moved her because I thought it was better than downtown.
to Jennyfromtheblock. I’ve been thinking the same thing about hiring security. So if there’s going to be some discussion around this, count me in.
Had packages mutilated and things stolen from our front porch between 1st and Eastern on 40th. If it hadn’t been for a man in his car passing by, thinking this guy didn’t look right he would have gotton a lot more. The meany was of medium height, mid forties, wearing a carhartt baseball cap. Some say he walks up and down 40th on a regular basis. He may live under the I-5 bridge. Police were called