Back to All Events

Property Crime Meeting Recap


Eastlake Community Council and Eastlake Merchants Association

January 26, 2023 Meeting Recap

Capt. Strand from the West Precinct and Barb Biondo, West Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator led the discussion on property crime at businesses in Eastlake.

Thirty people attended the virtual meeting. A list of resources is provided at the end.

Capt. Strand gave an overview of the challenges with understaffing and the need for new ways to track and report. A hopeful note that things were improving.

Barb Biondo:

  • Procedures to help prevent property crime:

    • Keeping your business or building as secure as possible is the first step

    • Follow the 3 d’s—deter, delay and detect

    • Keep the area in good repair, making sure that sightlines are good so all entrances are visible and do not provide hiding places

    • Good lighting everywhere including parking areas; employ a professional to assess the needs and recommend the best placement and type of lighting

    • Security grade locks with strike plates, security film on windows

    • Make all entrances as visible as possible to anyone passing by

    • Secure any high value items like electronic equipment, cash or alcohol in other locations that are locked separately and not visible

    • Audible local alarms

    • Report the crime—data is essential

    • For an assessment of your business contact Barb Biondo

Q&A:

  • Several attendees expressed frustration with getting the police to respond to a break-in that was not in process and what is done with the information that is reported

  • Concerns about how to document repeat offenders so they are recognized by everyone in the neighborhood

  • A request for current data on what is being reported in Eastlake and comparatives to other neighborhoods

  • What other things can we do to catch repeat offenders?

  • Why is there not an easier way to report crimes?

Capt. Strand and Barb Biondo’s response:

  • Below links to questions about trespassing, crime data, on-line reporting and KIRO coverage of new faster reporting system being developed

  • Victims must report the crimes—not a friend

  • West Precinct continues to be understaffed: they have to prioritize responses

  • The City Attorney’s office, Ann Davidson, has been improving the back log in cases

  • If you have a case number and have not heard anything let ECC know at info@eastlakeseattle.org — it will be reported at the monthly West Precinct meeting

Malik Davis from CM Alex Pedersen’s office:

  • Some issues with the inability to arrest and jail is due to the current King County Jail status

  • Please address that issue with an email to all City Council members, the mayor and the King County Prosecutor’s office

  • Communicate with the same people and the King County Regional Housing Authority asking KCRHA to be proactive in removing criminal elements from the existing RV encampments

  • Eastlake Merchants Association: If you would like to join this group to strengthen the Eastlake Business community please use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1108491899510554

Resources:

Previous
January 30

Seattle Comprehensive Plan Meeting
Next
March 10

Eastlake News Spring 2023