Residents gathered at the Alki Bathhouse on Thursday, April 17th, for a meeting hosted by the Alk Community Council to discuss plans and concerns for the upcoming summer season. The meeting, led by Council President Charlotte Starck, aimed to foster a collaborative approach between the community and city leaders in maintaining public safety and preserving the beauty of the Alki neighborhood.

The meeting commenced with a welcome from Charlotte Starck, who emphasized the importance of community members being "guardians of the land" and highlighted the presence of city leaders dedicated to public safety. A special guest, Ken Workman the fifth generation great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of Chief Seattle, offered a historical perspective, reminding attendees of the long history of the Duwamish people on the land and the importance of stewardship. He noted the significant changes the area has undergone since Chief Seattle's welcoming of the first settlers.

Summer Safety a Key Focus

A significant portion of the meeting addressed public safety concerns associated with the summer crowds. Captain Krista Bair of the Southwest Precinct outlined the Seattle Police Department's strategies, emphasizing collaboration with other agencies and community feedback. She spoke about the department's problem-oriented policing approach, which involves targeted "directed patrols" in identified hotspots, particularly during evening hours when issues like street racing are more prevalent. Captain Bair also mentioned the Real Time Crime Center, which monitors social media to anticipate and address potential problems like planned street racing events. She encouraged residents to continue reporting issues but acknowledged that patrol officers in targeted areas might not be immediately available for less serious calls.

Parks Department and Environmental Stewardship

John Jainga, Community Service Branch Manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation, along with Tracy Kramer from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), addressed issues related to parks and environmental concerns. Jainga introduced park rangers and community service officers (CSOs) who play a vital role in community engagement and addressing non-emergency issues. He highlighted the work done at Don Armeni Boat Launch to deter problematic behavior, including the installation of new signs (despite repeated vandalism) and large boulders to prevent unauthorized vehicle access.

A major announcement from Jainga was the approval of permanent seasonal hour changes for Alki Beach and Don Armeni Boat Launch, with a 4:00 a.m. opening and a 10:30 p.m. closure effective May 23rd, 2025. Hamilton Beach Park will have seasonal hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. These unified closure times aim to address confusion and improve enforcement.

Eighth graders Iris and Kitia from Explorer West Middle School presented their "Change the World" project focused on plastic pollution in Alki's waters and beaches. They proposed organizing a community beach cleanup day and sought help with advertising through posters, flyers, and social media.

Tracy Cramer of SPU discussed the city's proactive litter pickup program, which includes routes in the Alki area on Sundays and Fridays. She also highlighted the Find it Fix It app as a valuable tool for residents to report issues like litter and graffiti, noting that 150 service requests were responded to in the Alki Neighborhood in the past year. Cramer acknowledged the challenges of overflowing trash cans during warm weather weekends and indicated that increased service is being considered. SPU operates 5 litter abatement routes in the West Seattle area on Fridays and Sundays.

The potential for adding sharps receptacles along the beach was also discussed. Enhanced services for trash mitigation and restroom cleaning are planned for the summer.

Concerns over Illegal Vending and Accountability

A significant portion of the discussion involved concerns from residents and business owners regarding illegal vending along Alki Beach. Frustrations were voiced about the lack of consistent enforcement and the perceived negative impact on legitimate businesses who pay taxes and adhere to regulations. Captain Bair acknowledged the complexity of the issue, involving city and county jurisdictions. Charlotte Starck announced that a sign-up sheet would be available to gather interested individuals to advocate for better enforcement, potentially through meetings with King County Health and the Mayor's Office.

Clarification on When to Call 911

Residents sought clarity on when to contact 911 versus making online reports. Captain Bair advised that in cases of safety concerns, residents should always call 911, and the dispatchers will direct the call appropriately. She emphasized that the increasing availability of resources like park rangers, CSOS, and the upcoming Community Assistance Response Engagement (CARE) team will help address a wider range of issues and free up police resources for higher priority calls.

Protecting Marine Wildlife

Dave Delgado, a first responder with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, provided information on seal pup season, which typically runs from July through September. He emphasized the importance of giving seals space to rest and cautioned against approaching them or allowing dogs to interact with them. He explained that mother seals may abandon their pups if they feel threatened by human presence. Residents were encouraged to call the organization if they observe stranded seals, and informational materials were made available.

The meeting concluded with a door prize giveaway and a reminder of the "front porch welcome" tradition of the Alki Community Council. The gathering served as an opportunity for open dialogue between residents and city officials, highlighting both the community's proactive engagement and the ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer season on Alki Beach.