UPDATE: A lot of of bad things went down this afternoon in front of Eckstein, where one Tweeter pointed out to the Police and Mayor McGinn is where SPD had recently set up a speed sign. We corrected the title to reflect that 4 pedestrians were hit. Please keep the young, twenty-something woman and the infant, who are both at Harborview, in your thoughts. For that matter, keep all four of the pedestrians hit in your thoughts! A lot has been written about this already and there’s not much more we can add, so we recommend checking out the following posts:
Ravenna Blog (details from the scene, including eye witness accounts and photos)
Seattle PI (turns out the driver is in the midst of a previous DUI case!)
As we write, NE 75th Street is blocked as 3 pedestrians were hit by a vehicle. Reports suggest that 2 of the 34 have died and that Police are evaluating the male driver for possible impairment. Seattle Police have set up detours while the investigation takes place. We will provide more information once reports provide more information. In the mean time, you can follow the @SeattlePD twitter feed or their Seattle Police Blotter blog for updates.
UPDATE 2/27/13: KIRO 7 has this video of the suspect.
UPDATE (2/26/13 @ 2:30pm): Seattle Police have tweeted that one person has been taken into custody after an attempted, armed purse-snatching at 71st and Roosevelt. More details to come.
UPDATE (2/25/13): Yet another purse snatching occurred on Monday in the middle of the afternoon. We received this from Terrie Johnston with the SPD North Precinct:
“This afternoon at 2:45 in the 7000 block of 35 Ave. NE, an elderly, developmentally disabled female was walking home from the Wedgwood Safeway and the suspect ran up behind her and removed her purse over her head. He then ran off eastbound. There were no weapons seen, and no suspect was located despite immediate response from several patrol units. The description we got was white male, 20’s, 5’8” and skinny.”
ORIGINAL POST:
Another purse-snatching occurred on Friday afternoon, February 22 — this one in the Roosevelt area, also in broad daylight, as two earlier ones were.
There are things you can do to prevent a purse-snatching, and also things you can do in case you are robbed of your purse or wallet. REMEMBER: Your life is more valuable than your purse.
The basics:
Stay alert to your surroundings.
Shop during the day when possible. Walk in a group when you can. Avoid hedges and other hiding places.
When shopping after dark, do so with a friend or family member.
Dress casually and comfortably in clothes/shoes that will let you move easily.
Walk confidently and steadily.
If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, don’t be afraid to shout or scream. Some suggest shouting “Call 9-1-1 now!”
Be aware that wearing earpods and/or talking on the phone or texting may both block out warning sounds around you and indicate that you might be distracted.
Leave expensive jewelry at home.
Always carry a government-issued photo driver’s license or identification card.
Carry only cash, checks and/or a credit card necessary for that day. (Even losing membership / frequent-buyer cards can be a pain.)
Avoid being overloaded with packages.
Trust your instincts — If you feel threatened, get out of the situation and call 9-1-1 if necessary.
Park in a well-lighted space, be certain the car is locked, and the windows are closed; store shopping bags and packages in the trunk.
Check around you before you get into your car and lock the doors immediately.
Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.
And a final practical note: In some protected — preferably passworded — location at home, list all your credit cards with the phone numbers you will need to call in case that card is lost or stolen. You’ll thank yourself.
The Seattle Times has this article about recent sexual assaults on women in North Seattle. Below is the sketch based on descriptions from a victim, as well as a map of where these attacks have taken place. Be careful out there.
It happened again at around 9:45AM this morning, February 7. Key Bank at 7307 35th Ave NE was once again hit by a gun-toting masked man. It seemed like less than 2 weeks ago we thought we could move on from our armed bank robbing plight. But it turns out more than one criminal has realized there are 7 banks within a 10-block stretch. This makes the 4th armed robbery in 4 months for 35th Ave NE and the 2nd robbery of the Key Bank branch. We hope we’re not the only ones who have noticed this trend…
The suspect is described as an unknown race male, approximately 5’09, 140, wearing a black hooded jacket,blue jeans, and a partial black mask covering the lower part of his face. He was also carrying a black backpack.
The suspect entered the bank, pointed a gun at the teller, and then jumped over the counter and took money out of the teller drawer. He then fled the bank on foot, last seen running south.
Officers arrived quickly after receiving the 911 call and are currently searching the area. Several area schools have been notified and are taking the necessary precautions.
According to the Ravenna Blog’s Twitter feed, View Ridge Elementary was put on lock-down following the armed robbery.
Yesterday, the Wedgwood Homestreet bank was held at gun point around 4:30PM by what Police say was the same person who held up the new Key Bank branch on 35th Ave NE last month. The suspect, who is still at large, was last seen walking on foot eastbound down NE 82nd Street.
The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6′ tall, medium build, between 30-40 years old, wearing a baseball cap, brown hair, facial hair, and blue eyes. See photos below from yesterday’s Homestreet robbery and last months robbery at Key Bank.
According to the Seattle Police, “a bank in the 7300 Block of 35th Avenue NE was robbed by a male suspect” on Friday, September 7, around 1:50 PM. While the bank name was not mentioned, the photos and location clearly indicate that it was the new KeyBank which opened on July 30 and held its Grand Opening Party on August 25.
The male suspect is about 6 feet tall and was wearing a baseball cap, Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and sunglasses. The suspect left the bank going southward (past Starbucks). If you have any information on the suspect, please contact the Police ASAP.
Everyone is invited to a free Picnic at the Precinct on Saturday, August 11, from 1 to 4 PM, to meet the police officers who serve north Seattle.
At the picnic you can take a precinct tour and learn about specialty units like K-9 (dogs), SWAT, Bomb Squad, and horse patrol. The picnic will have food, music, ice cream, raffle prizes, and childrens activities. The North Precinct is located at 10049 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98133.
As you know, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association are our friendly neighbors to the south and west. Not only are they good people, but their upcoming community meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) is jam-packed with all sorts of goodness that it just had to be passed on. See for yourself.
Note: Not listed is a last minute guest. Either North Precinct Lt. Rasmussen or Captain Robin Clark will attend to answer questions about last week’s shootings.
Ravenna-Bryant Community Association is having a community meeting on Tuesday, June 5th from 7-9 p.m. at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Avenue NE.
Free Grateful Bread pastries for anyone who comes through the door!
At our April 3rd, 2012 community meeting, about 80 people heard Jim Diers, former Director of the Department of Neighborhoods, talk about the power of community. Jim gave us a lot of ideas for creating stronger communities, so for our June meeting, we’ll be giving you ways to create a stronger community, right on your own street!
The Seattle Police Department’s NE District Crime Prevention Coordinator, Terri Johnston, will show us how to register our blocks for National Night Out (and give cool ideas for turning our streets into a party), and how to start/maintain a Block Watch Program.
Seattle City Council Member Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, will discuss programs he feels make our streets safer for everyone. Come see what your elected officials are doing to make your neighborhood safe!
Laurie Ames from the Department of Neighborhood will demystify the process of Neighborhood Matching Funds, and explain how you and your neighbors can get money from the City for your own project (and maybe even a National Night Out event!)
Want to know how Greenways make our neighborhoods safer? What to know what a Greenway is? Paulo Nunes-Ueno, Director of Transportation at Children’s Hospital, will give details on the soon to be installed Greenway on 39th Avenue NE. There is a lot of excitement surrounding this first official Greenway in our neighborhood and Paulo is just the guy to fill you in on the Greenway that goes north from the Burke-Gilman Trail through our neighborhood. Read more about Children’s Livable Streets Initiative here.
Earlier this afternoon, a shooting occurred at the Cafe Racer Espresso at 5828 Roosevelt Way NE where 5 people were shot: 2 men have been confirmed dead while 2 other men and 1 woman are being treated at Harborview Medical Center. The suspect fled by foot to the north. According to the Seattle Times, the suspect is described as a “white man, 30-40 years old, 6-feet-1, with a medium build. He has light brown curly hair, a goatee or beard and was wearing a white and plaid shirt.”
Police are asking anyone who sees someone matching this description to call 911 immediately. Traffic is obviously terrible around Roosevelt at the moment and Police are requesting that parents stay away from the high school (do not try to pick up your kids) for now.
Shortly after the shootings, a seperate shooting occurred downtown where 1 woman has been confirmed dead. All major news outlets are following the shootings. If you’re a Twitter user, you can track updates using #RooseveltShooting.
UPDATE 1: From Twitter, “@seapubschools says only Roosevelt HS in lockdown. Eckstein and Green Lake are in shelter in place.” @KUOW UPDATE 2: From Twitter, “@katherinelong: My son is in the lockdown at Roosevelt HS, but he says it’s just classes as usual. No drama in the halls.” @katherinelong UPDATE 3: From Twitter, “Eckstein Parents: texting my daughter who confirms lock down, says everyone is safe #rooseveltshooting” @markipp UPDATE 4: From Twitter, “RT @brianmrosenthal: Roosevelt HS no longer on lockdown, spox says. Doors still locked tho, like at Eckstein/Green Lake. #RooseveltShooting” @SeattleTimes UPDATE 5: From Twitter, “Modified lockdowns: Roosevelt HS, Eckstein MS, Greenlake Elem, Chief Sealth HS, Denny Int’l MS, Lafayette Elem, Pathfinder at Cooper” @King5Seattle UPDATE 6: From Twitter, “Community center lockdowns: Greenlake, Ravenna/Eckstein, Delridge” @King5Seattle UPDATE 7: From Twitter, “Report from inside Eckstein Middle School confirms they are not allowed to leave rooms they are in. #Rooseveltshooting” @RavennaBlog FINAL UPDATE: A man identified as Ian Stawicki is believed to have been the shooter in the Roosevelt shooting and a second shooting downtown. Stawicki has died from self inflicted gun wounds. In total, 6 people have died today while a 7th (employee of Cafe Racer) looks like he will survive following surgery. Here is a complete story from the Seattle Times.
UPDATE: Maple Leaf Life has just posted information on the suspect as well, including the fact that the suspect has 15 felony convictions and couldn’t be responsible for those burglaries after March 6th.
According to KOMO, the suspect is an 18 year old by the name of Maxfield P. Dare (Is it just me, or does ‘Max Dare’ sound like a pseudonym?). Prosecutors describe Mr. Dare as a “notorious serial residential burglar and car thief whose modus operandi was to break into victims’ homes, steal things, then steal their cars.” Mr. Dare is being held on $400,000 bail.
It happened again at around 9:45AM this morning, February 7. Key Bank at 7307 35th Ave NE was once again hit by a gun-toting masked man. 
