By Ty Swenson

KCSO Captain Joseph Hodgson said crime in North Highline/White Center over the last couple of months is a “good news/bad news scenario” during a North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting last week.

The good news, he said, is that (with the exception of residential burglaries and assaults) crime is down looking over an eight-month period.

Residential burglaries are up
“Generally, … things are down but we have seen a significant spike in residential burglaries," Capt. Hodgson said. "I talked to the detectives today … and right now there is very little information. They are doing their best to develop some evidence and trying to find something that points them in the right direction but right now there’s not much.”

“The typical MO on these has been to knock on a front door and upon getting no response kicking in the front door,” or going around back to gain entry.

Capt. Hodgson recommended turning on lights, a radio or TV to make it seem like someone is home and recommended cutting back landscaping so neighbors can see suspicious activity at a house.

Drug activity and public intoxication in White Center
When asked what is being down about open-air drug use and transactions in White Center, Capt. Hodgson said, “We are actively working on that. The problem is the force of people we have currently to work on that is rather small and while they have White Center they also have Skyway, Vashon and unincorporated Federal Way. So they are spread out and effective drug enforcement is kind of a team effort and consequently these things will come slowly. We are aware of and working on that, I promise you that."

Regarding public intoxication, he said, “We are trying to figure out a strategy to deal with some of the dealers of the alcohol. The fact of the matter is its not illegal to be drunk in public … so the individuals wandering around intoxicated, while they create their own set of problems for some people, that’s not a crime in and of itself."

He said KCSO is focusing on “clamping down” on vendors that are selling alcohol to clearly intoxicated individuals and will be working with the liquor control board to that end.

Storefront deputy for White Center?
Capt. Hodgson said the best thing to do is to illustrate the communities need to politicians.

“I don’t see anything on the immediate horizon for that,” he said. “I’d be inclined to refer to (King County Councilmember Joe McDermott) on that,” he said when asked what the everyday citizen can do to get a storefront deputy back in downtown White Center.

Miscellaneous crime comments
The Captain said assault numbers are generally higher during the summer months because kids are out of school and people spend more time at their “local watering hole.”

“As far as the (medical marijuana) dispensaries, we are looking at some new law changes that are coming,” on July 27. “Things are still in flux but we are still eyeing it and we’re still working on our strategy so we are hoping things will solidify.”

As for gang activity, Capt. Hodgson said, “Things are still pretty vigorous in that area.”

Crime by the numbers – May to June, 2011
Auto thefts dropped from 13 to 12.
Violations of Uncontrolled Substance Act jumped from 9 to 17.
Gang related activity dropped from 15 to 8.
Robberies went from 0 to 4.
Commercial burglary dropped one from 6 to 5.
Residential burglaries rose from 19 to 23.