One Lower Queen Anne woman, Camille, was assaulted outside her apartment late last Tuesday night, having her bag snatched only after she was repeatedly kicked in the face and chest by the assailant.
Many neighbors who heard her screaming during the ordeal, and many more who live in the area, were so moved by Camille’s story and concerned with the growing prevalence of violent crime in Uptown as of late–especially in the area between the Counterbalance and the entrance to Lower Kinnear Park on Roy that is very poorly lit–that they’ve decided to organize a new Block Watch program to connect neighbors and hopefully prevent future assaults like this one.
Reader J.P. Flores, who is spearheading the effort, wrote in the comments,
I am fairly new to the area (10 months or so) But I love my Neighborhood. I haven’t seen anything about a Neighborhood Watch in this (Specifically from Counterbalance Park to Kinnear Park along Roy where most of the recent disturbances have been happening) And I would like to propose one. I am married and I don’t like that I have to worry about my wife walking to the store or even from the car to our apartment. I know there are a lot of other young couples in our community who I am sure feel the same way. I would also urge the businesses in this area (On The Boards, The Sitting Room etc..) to participate as it is their community as well. Shall we do something about it? Let’s make this neighborhood safe for our kids and all those who live in this beautiful part of town.
J.P. has agreed to organize the Block Watch if he can find enough interested parties, and hopefully local businesses, to participate. If you’d like to take park in the Counterbalance to Kinnear Block Watch, contact J.P. at jflor84@gmail.com or comment below.
For more information on Block Watches or to find one in your area, contact SPD Crime Prevention officer Contact Terrie Johnston at (206) 684-4741 or terrie.johnston@seattle.gov. If businesses in the area would like more information on what they can do to encourage public safety, they can contactFran Tello at (206) 684-4730 or francisco.tello@seattle.gov. Read up on ways to get involved with community crime prevention here and here.
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5 responses so far ↓
1 dianejstandiford // Mar 2, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Block watches are great. Had one in Ballard. They really do work! We are better and bigger in numbers than the “bad guys.” The Seattle PD is so helpful too in setting them up and advising you. So little time for such a huge return!
2 john // Mar 2, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Block Watches are the way to go, if you want to fight the thugs poisoning your neighborhood. Then, there's the end of Summer Block Watch party. Exchange emails, or do as we did in days before computers, and make up the block watch list with copies for everyone. My first block watch was in Wallingford in '70, after we had suffered a couple of car prowls.
3 hmp32 // Mar 2, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Mr. Tim Burgess' new proposal will only make such situations worse in QA ; more police will just be cost ineffective. Live on the block mentioned here and there are number of things that could be done. On the Boards needs to discourage homeless people from sleeping in the stairs ; the bushes on the E. of the stair well connecting 1st Ave W to Olympic Place need to trimmed / redone so homeless aren't able to party there. Then, more/better shelter opportunities need to be provided.
4 Camille // Mar 3, 2010 at 3:08 am
I'm so glad that my story has led to something productive. Thank you to everyone who voiced their concern.
5 RowerRob // Mar 5, 2010 at 5:52 am
Hi all. We just had our annual condo meeting this evening at Courtyard at Queen Anne Square (on W Roy between 2nd & 3rd). Several residents discussed what had happened to Camille and also agree that the areas around here are poorly lit. As home/condo-owners, are are property-tax payers — and it is up to us to write to the City and encourage proper lighting.
Send an email to them — street.light@seattle.gov
Resources here: http://www.cityofseattle.net/light/streetlight/