UPDATE 2: Mayor McGinn, Captain Paulsen speak at Alki Beach: "SW Precinct's crime rate lowest in Seattle"
Thu, 07/12/2012
UPDATE July 25:
Southwest Seattle Police Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen spoke today, July 25, with Mayor Mike McGinn outside the Alki Bathhouse. They said the Southwest Precinct has the city's lowest crime rate, and that West Seattle crime is way down in 2012 over last year.
"In the summertime we generally see an increase in activity citywide of about 20 percent," said McGinn. "On Alki, in summertime in particular, there are obviously more people out. The polices' objective here is to be present and to make sure people are behaving responsibly. We also took a look at High Point (…) It's one of the safest places of West Seattle now (…) This precinct is the lowest crime rate of any precinct in the city. The vast majority of the crimes (here) are property crimes (…) Burglary is down 21 percent (compared to 2011). Car prowl is down nine percent. Auto theft is down 14 percent."
He introduced Southwest Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen.
"What makes West Seattle's police department so successful is we firmly believe in relationships with the community, collaborations of neighbors watching over neighbors, and reporting suspicious activities to 911," Captain Paulsen said. "Our officers are able to make significant arrests with that. It's all about neighborhoods, relationships, partnerships (…)
Regarding the July 6 shooting incident at nearby Whale Tail Park, he said, "The gang unit is actively investigating that. This was an altercation stemming between two females. A gun was brought out, shot. Citizens playing baseball over at the play field though someone was being assaulted and they came over with baseball bats (…) Everybody was scattering upon our arrival. There were no injuries, thankfully."
He echoed the mayor's words regarding crime rates here.
"We have double-digit declines," said Paulsen. "We've been enjoying significant declines compared to other areas of the city."
UPDATE July 23:
Southwest Seattle Police Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen announced today the next meeting with Mayor Mike McGinn will be this Wednesday (7/25)at 3pm at the Alki Bathhouse.
Original Post July 12:
On the heels of the Seattle Police Department announcement that front desk and community police team officers will be reassigned to rapid 911 emergency response and anti-violence initiatives throughout the summer, Mayor Mike McGinn is now visiting each precinct to tour crime hot spots and meet with precinct commanders to discuss their summer plans, according to the mayor’s office.
McGinn visited the West and South Precincts this week, and a spokesperson from his office said he will likely meet with Southwest Precinct leadership soon.
Southwest Precinct Captain Steve Paulsen and the mayor will most likely discuss plans in West Seattle and South Park to combat violent crime and make residents feel safer (based on the discussions at West and South Precincts).
The mayor’s staff wrote in their blog, “Every neighborhood in Seattle faces different challenges. This is particularly true in the realm of public safety. What works in one community won’t work in another. That’s why it’s so important that we talk directly with community members to make sure what we’re doing is effective in each neighborhood, and why we use data analysis to identify trends and hot spots as soon as they arise.”