Mayor McGinn is searching for a new chief of police and has asked the public to help develop the selection criteria. Former Chief Gil Kerlikowske left the Seattle Police Department upon his appointment as the nation’s drug czar by President Obama last year. The Seattle Police Chief Search Committee, a 26-member citizen panel, has been tasked with the job of narrowing the pool of potentials down to three finalists to recommend to the mayor in May, in the hopes of making a final selection by June.

The search committee is posing the following questions to community members:

• What qualities are you looking for in a new Police Chief?
• What is the most important public safety issue in Seattle?
• What does the Seattle Police Department do well?
• What changes would you like to see?

To encourage community input the city has set up three ways for those interested to respond – by attending one of three upcoming public forums, visiting the new website or dialing into a dedicated phone line set up for the search.

The first meeting will he held tomorrow, Wednesday, February 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northgate Community Center, located at 10510 5th Ave NE. The first two hours of the meeting has been allotted for public comment, with the final hour reserved for the search committee “to begin developing competitive selection process and assessment criteria.”

The next two meetings have been set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17 (at Franklin High School, located at 3013 Mount Baker S.) and Friday, February 26 (at New Holly Gathering Center, located 7054 32nd Ave. S.) Language interpreters will be available at the third and final meeting in the following languages: Tagalog, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian, Amharic, Oromiffa, Khmer (Cambodian), Somali, and Tigrinya.

For more information, see the search committee website. Download the meetings flyer here (.pdf). Can’t make it to a meeting? Answer the committee’s four questions online or over the phone by calling 206-684-CITY (206-684-2489).

The Seattle Police Department has put together a list of safety tips for parents whose children will be trick-or-treating tomorrow evening. Even though Queen Anne was voted the #2 neighborhood to collect Halloween loot in the city, you never can be too cautious. Here’s what they say:

• Don’t allow children go “Trick or treating” alone. An adult should accompany young children and make sure that all children carry a glow stick or flashlight and wear reflective clothing.

• Accompany young children to the door of every house they approach. Stay within sight of the door when opened.  Children should be cautioned to never enter a home without prior permission from their parents.

• Stay in familiar neighborhoods and only visit well-lighted homes that have their outdoor lights on.  Parents should be familiar with every house and with all people from which the children receive treats.

• Children should be cautioned never to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent.

• All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant. When using facemasks, make sure the child can see and breathe properly and easily.

• Don’t cut through yards, parks or alleys. Walk, don’t run, and stay on the sidewalks, cross only at intersections and crosswalks, not between cars.  Don’t forget to look both ways before crossing the street.

• Be sure to carry a flashlight with fresh batteries and make sure your child knows your phone number and address.   For children under 12, attach a tag with their name, address and phone number (including area code) to their clothes in case they get separated.  Older children who might be going out with friends should have a cell phone, mapped route and set a time to come home.

• Children should be cautioned to remember any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, a trusted adult or the police.

• Children should be cautioned to run away immediately from people who try to lure them with special treats.  Children should be instructed to scream and make a scene if anyone tries to grab them or force them, in any way, to go with them.

• Don’t approach unknown animals or pets; they could be frightened by the costumes or strange noises.

• Parents should inspect all treats and dispose of anything that has been opened or has never been wrapped. The police should be notified if something has been tampered with.

Happy Halloween Queen Anne! Be safe.

According to the Seattle Police Department West Precinct blotter, four victims were robbed at gunpoint early this morning on the 2600 block of Magnolia Blvd. W. The four reported that they were sitting on a park bench at around 1:19 a.m. when three black males approached them and asked if they had any marijuana. The victims responded that they didn’t, at which time the suspects brought out handguns and robbed them. The suspects also patted down the victims to make sure they didn’t miss anything before fleeing on foot, according to the report. The victims found someone nearby and called 911. A K-9 was called in and a perimeter set, but the suspects were not found. The victims said one of the suspects had a red bandana over his face.

It’s back to school season again, and most Seattle Public Schools start fall terms this coming Wednesday, September 9. In Queen Anne those schools include Catharine Blaine (K-8), The Center School, Coe Elementary, John Hay Elementary, Lawton Elementary and McClure Middle School.

The Seattle Police Department has put together a list of back to school safety tips, that include everything from general tips, to public transportation pointers, what to do if you’re confronted on the street and how to report a crime. Click here to see the SPD list.

See the Seattle Public Schools 2009-2010 academic calendar here.

Magnolia Voice has reported that a man was in his car on the 2200 block of Thorndyke Avenue West last night when another man approached him and asked for a cigarette. According to the police report, when the victim and witnesses responded that they didn’t have one, the suspect struck the victim in the head with a pipe. The victim and witnesses then drove away and called 911. Officers searched the area, but did not find the suspect.