The assailant did not take my purse, and it is clear that his intention was sexual assault. I screamed and fought and someone in the Iris apartment building shouted that they were calling the police, and the guy ran off into Kinnear Park. I managed to walk away with just a fat lip (and some stitches and bruises) – but it could have been much, much worse.

Rebecca filed a police report before going to the hospital, but as of last Friday the suspect had not yet been caught. She provided this description:

It was dark and I can’t be certain, but I think the man was a homeless guy I’ve seen in the neighborhood before: white male, 5’10″, 170 pounds, dark chin/shoulder length hair that is wavy/matted, full beard.

Rebecca hopes that her experience will serve as a reminder to those in the community to be aware of their surroundings, and cautious for themselves and their neighbors, especially at night. She wrote,

I still feel that Queen Anne is a wonderful place to live (the fact that neighbors responded within seconds when I screamed is testament to that) but we shouldn’t be complacent about safety. Gentlemen, please consider walking ladies to their cars/homes late at night. And ladies, trust your instincts – if someone looks sketchy, walk away and go to a well lit place (like Bartell’s) or carry something like pepper spray in your purse.

Also, for those of you in the neighborhood, if you hear a scream or tussle outside late at night, please don’t hesitate to call out and say you’re calling the police. I am so fortunate that the residents of that building didn’t just roll back over and go to sleep, or call the police silently and hope for the best; the reason the guy ran off is because someone shouted “I’m calling the police, and coming right down.”

In February of last year another Uptown resident, also on her way home alone, was pushed down and kicked in the face and chest repeatedly just a block away from this recent incident, at Roy and 3rd Ave W. In this case the suspect was after her purse, but the crime startled both the victim and many of her neighbors, who organized an Uptown block watch program in response. This most recent attempted assault is a testament to the need for continued neighborhood safety programs, such as block watch groups, especially in corners of the neighborhood that are poorly lit at night and susceptible to crime.

If anyone has any information on this incident, please contact Seattle Police right away as the suspect is still at large.

Update 11:40 a.m.: We just received an update from Rebecca, who says her injuries are healing up well. Since the incident she’s been working on ways to improve safety in the neighborhood. She writes,

I’m speaking with a reporter who might do a piece on it, and I’m going to try and have him focus on the response of my neighbors, but also the need for street lighting at the end of West Roy Street and the city/county/state to cough up the rest of the funds to make Kinnear Park safe. It has helped that they cleared out so much of the underbrush, but it needs lighting and the other safety features that are part of the new park design. It would also be great if the city would allow us RPZ zone parking (we keep asking and they keep brushing us off) so that residents on the West Mercer/Roy corridor can park their cars near their homes at night; I often have to park 5 or 6 blocks away if it’s a night that people are out at the bars, or there’s an event at Seattle Center.

I haven’t heard anything from the police, but my hope is that he’ll be spotted now that so many people are on the lookout. I definitely want to make sure that women in the neighborhood are smart and safety conscious late at night.

The victim managed to dial 911 on her iPhone, but while on the phone the suspect grabbed her and dragged her about 20 feet, according to the report. The suspect took the cell phone out of her hands and proceeded down W Howe Street, however the victim was able to wrestle her purse back from the suspect before he left the scene.

A witness to the robbery told police they saw the crime unfold, but was afraid to get involved in case the suspect had a weapon.

The victim, who reportedly had scraped knees and elbows from the attack but no further injuries, declined medical attention and told police “she just wanted her phone back,” the report said. A couple of units reported to the scene of the crime and conducted an extensive area check, but were not able to locate the suspect.

As officers were attempting to disperse the crowd, they were advised of a stabbing incident that occurred inside the large crowd.  A juvenile female reportedly got into a fight with another female, who subsequently stabbed her in the abdomen.

Officers were able to locate the victim and call in the Seattle Fire Department, who transported her to Harborview Medical Center where she underwent surgery, according to the report.

The Seattle Police Department also located the knife they believe was used in the attack and submitted it into evidence. No suspects were taken into custody, but SPD detectives say they are currently investigating several leads.

In the time between Thursday, December 30, 2010 through today, Thursday, January 6, 2011, one more serious home invasion involving weapons took place.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve two men allegedly kicked in the door of a Lower Queen Anne apartment in the 500 block of 1st Ave N and robbed a man at gunpoint, according to the Seattle Police Department.

According to the incident report, the victim told police he was in his kitchen making something to eat when two unknown men (the first described as a Hispanic male, 5,8″,
approximately 230 lbs, with black hair tied in corn rows, the second a Hispanic male 5’8″, 200 lbs, with back hair) forcefully entered his apartment, both brandishing handguns.

The men then reportedly instructed the man to cover his eyes and lay face down on his bed while they looked throughout his apartment. When the suspects left, the victim contacted his brother, who also lives in the building, and used his phone to call police. According to the victim, the only missing items were his iPhone and a Fender bass guitar, worth a combined $1,900.

Despite the number of items of the crime map, SPD data show that total serious crime stats were down in Queen Anne overall in 2010 (and especially in the second half of the year), when compared to both 2008 and 2009.

Check more SPD crime stats citywide and by neighborhood here. More details on the other crimes that have taken place in the neighborhood recently can be found through the Seattle Police Department’s interactive crime map, which links to incident reports when available.

For those who couldn’t make it to the meeting, J.P. has put together a few notes on the topics covered and what the group plans to do next to bolster public safety and deter crime in the neighborhood, including weekly walks, building-specific Block Captains and mobilizing communication via social media. Take a look:

We had about 27 people show up for the meeting which I think was a great turn out! As Melanie said, there was a good energy and A lot of Great Ideas were presented as far as personal safety as well as improvements to the neighborhood. Just a few points were:

• A weekly walk is a fun constructive way to 1) keep a community presence on the street and 2) get to know your neighbors!
• 911 should be called if you want an officer to come out. Don’t be afraid to call, as this is a good way for the police to track crime trends in the area (this includes reckless driving, screaming people and so on).
• Neighborhood Block watch signs would be a great way to discourage criminal behavior in the area (Terrie suggested asking the businesses in the area if they would contribute in part or full for the cost of the signs as it is for their benefit as well).

Block Captains
Terrie spoke of block captains that would relay news or events to the people on their block, since we live in a neighborhood of condo and apartment complexes, we should have building captains like Terrie suggested. This person would relay any news about events we would be planning (weekly walks, or maybe even a yearly bbq for National Night Out) and address any issues relative to LQA safety. If you are interested in being a block captain please email me and we can discuss it one on one.

Social Media?
For anyone who uses Facebook or Has a Twitter account, I think a Facebook page for the LQA watch should be created that would post to your news feed as just another way to stay connected in our neighborhood and provide a more open forum for discussion. If everyone likes the Idea I will set one up.

The group has proposed weekly community walks, which would take place at 7 p.m. every Thursday. J.P. would like to hear feedback and suggestions on these proposals from neighbors and those interested in getting involved. You can contact J.P. at jflor84@gmail.com.

QueenAnneView obtained the police report and charging documents detailing the strange series of events that night, first reported by SeattleCrime. According to the SPD report, a car driven by McConnell rear-ended another vehicle at the intersection of Broadway and James Street near Seattle University, while the victim was waiting at a red light at around 6 p.m. on the 31st. According to the report, McConnell refused to exchange information with the victim, who reported smelling alcohol on his breath. The police report also states that McConnell’s lawyer, who arrived at the scene moments later in a separate vehicle, allegedly attempted to cut a deal with the victim, offering him $1,500 for the damages to his car if he agreed not to call the police. McConnell reportedly refused to pay and then walked off, returning a few moments later when he allegedly punched the victim in the chest with both fists. According to the report, McConnell then left on foot, leaving his car behind.

Police caught up with McConnell later that evening at one of his restaurants, arrested him and took him to the East Precinct, where he reportedly refused to take a breathalyzer test. SeattleCrime reports that McConnell has pleaded not guilty on all charges.

Both Caffe Vita and Via Tribunali serve beer and alcohol at several locations. Back in December Caffe Vita applied for a liquor license at its Queen Anne location, at 813 5th Ave N. And last month the Washington State Liquor Control Board approved licenses for both the Queen Anne and Capitol Hill coffee outposts.

However, WSLCB spokeswoman Anne Radford told SeattleCrime that the board may seek cancellation of these licenses should the McConnell receive criminal convictions. McConnell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, May 3.

(Photo taken from McConnell’s Facebook page).

Though she didn’t know it at the time, but several neighbors heard her screams and run outside to assist her. By that time Camille had already made her way into her building, but her story has lead several community members to urge the creation of new Block Watch group in Lower Queen Anne.

J.P. Flores, who is spearheading the effort, says that many in the community have responded and he expects a large attendance at the first meeting, set for Thursday, April 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Courtyard at Queen Anne Square, located at 275 W. Roy.

SPD Crime Prevention Officer Terrie Johnston will be attending the meeting to help Queen Anne residents learn about working together to tackle public safety issues. The event will be a great opportunity to meet your neighbors face-to-face, one of the first steps in creating an effective Block Watch.

For more information see the event flier (.pdf), and feel free to pass the information along to other neighbors who may be interested.

At approximately 1:25 a.m. this morning, Thursday, March 18 officers were called to the Seattle Center groups by the campus security personnel to address two men that had been detained for “crashing through several bollards that are meant to keep vehicles from entering onto the Center grounds,” according to the SPD blotter. From the blotter:

Both subjects were clearly intoxicated, officers attempted to take one of the suspects him into custody for DUI, when he immediately began to resist. The suspect refused to comply with orders to stop resisting. He bit one of the officers on the hand and repeatedly kicked at them.

The suspect was finally taken into custody, and as officers were putting him in the back seat of the patrol car for transport, he rolled onto his back and kicked them.  He grazed one officer’s chest and kicked the other officer in the leg.

The suspect was arrested and transported to the North Precinct. At the Precinct, the suspect who is active duty Navy, continued to be belligerent, repeatedly asking, “This is how you do the Military?” & “What? So now I’m some kind of —— terrorist? I blow —— up?”

The officer asked the suspect how he thought he Navy would feel about his actions, and he replied, “—— the Navy!! I don’t give a ——- about the Navy!!”

The suspect was booked into King County Jail on Investigation of Assault, and additional charges of DUI, Reckless Driving, Hit & Run & Trespass are currently being requested.

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.