After 30 years working in crime prevention with the Seattle Police Department, Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow, 61, announced that he will be leaving his post on March 15.

As crime prevention coordinator, Kinlow worked closely with the West Seattle Blockwatch Captain’s Network to educate the community on how to set up and effectively run blockwatches to make neighborhoods safer. According to SW Precinct Commander Captain Steve Paulsen, the biggest crime challenges in West Seattle are residential burglaries and car prowls – both the kinds of activity that a strong blockwatch network can help reduce.

The Blockwatch Captain’s Network posted a note on their website (http://wsblockwatchnet.wordpress.com) that said, “Benjamin has been of great help to us, especially as we began forming this BlockWatch Captain’s Network. We will miss him, but wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement!”

“I’ve enjoyed working with the community,” Kinlow said. “It’s been a great pleasure to have a job where you see the tangible results of what you do.”

The moment that stands out most for Kinlow was being honored in 2004 as an Employee of Excellence with the SPD. He was given the citywide honor for the work he was doing with the Southwest Precinct.

“I’ve been with the police department for 30 years and with the city for, my goodness, 36 years so it’s going to be a whole different switch in direction,” Kinlow said of his retirement.

He said his plate will be full in the age of retirement, keeping busy with freelance consulting opportunities, volunteer work, putting in more time as the pastor of his congregation and spending a lot more time with his 2-year-old and five-month-old grandchildren.

Kinlow also said he feels healthy at his age a new career path is not out of the question.

“I just want to let the community know that I’m going to be here for a while so if people would like to have my services please give me a call asap and I’ll try to provide as much service as possible before I leave.”

Kinlow can be reached at (206) 681-7724 or Benjamin.kinlow@seattle.gov.

It is unclear at this time whether Kinlow’s position will be filled upon his retirement. The Herald will keep an eye on the situation and post an update when that information becomes available.