On Monday the Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that will allow Seattle police officers to give out $100 citations for fighting, threatening others, or making excessive or “unreasonable noise” in public areas between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. The legislation, which was sponsored by Councilmember Nick Licata and included in Mayor McGinn’s Seattle Nightlife Initiative, aims to promote “the co-existence of residents and nightlife establishments” in Seattle’s nightlife districts.

“This bill passed because groups on all sides of this issue were willing to make compromises. The new law should address most of the behavioral problems police encounter when crowds leave the bars. It provides them with a preventive alternative to address unruly bar patrons on the sidewalks,” Licata said in the public statement.

The new ordinance will affect business districts throughout Seattle, especially those with large concentrations of bars, such as downtown, Belltown and Lower Queen Anne. It will go into effect after a legally required State Department of Ecology Review is completed, a process that may take up to 90 days. As part of the ordinance, the Chief of Police and the City Attorney will also be required to report on the action’s success in reducing nighttime disturbances in 2011.

“Undesirable behavior by patrons after they leave nightlife establishments is an ongoing concern. We now have legislation that will hold disrespectful club goers accountable, which is another proactive approach of the City’s comprehensive nightlife initiative,” Mayor McGinn said in a statement.

Given that noisy crowds can often be heard roaming around Uptown and parts of Queen Anne after closing time, it’s safe to say this ordinance will likely directly impact bar goers—and nearby residents—in the neighborhood. What do you think, Queen Anne? Do you agree with the new ordinance, or disagree, and why?

Seattle Police Department has just launched a new public online reporting option.

The Community Online Reporting Program (CORP) allows the public to file police reports for certain incident types (Property Destruction, Car Prowls, Auto Accessories, Theft of Property (under $500), and Identity Theft) over the internet.

This service will allow the public to file a report at a time that is best for them without having to wait for an officer to respond or call them back. The public will be able to print a temporary copy of the report as soon as they submit it. The report will be reviewed by police personnel, and, once approved, the filing person will receive an email with a copy of the final report attached. The report will transfer directly into the Seattle Police Department records management system and receive the same investigation and statistical analysis as if the report had been filed by an officer.

This option is for low level property crimes only. It does not replace 911 or the non-emergency number. If the caller feels that they are in danger, or the crime just happened, or the suspect may still be there, 911 is still the best option. The Community Online Reporting Program is an option for people that want to report a low level theft, but do not necessarily need an officer to respond in person.

The web-based crime reporting service can be accessed by going to the Seattle Police Department’s homepage (http://www.seattle.gov/police) and clicking the “File a Report” Quick Link.

The 4th of July weekend is a time for fun, family and of course, fireworks! However it also tends to be a few days where there’s heightened risk for accidents. In an effort to keep the community safe, the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department have released this public safety announcement:

The Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that there are no legal fireworks in the City of Seattle.

The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Fireworks offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and present a safety risk to those who use them. Every year the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries. Each and every one of these incidents could have been prevented.

On the 4^th of July, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. DO NOT call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 and getting help.

Any fireworks-related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911. Other fireworks violations may be reported by calling the Seattle Police non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.

The Seattle Police and Seattle Fire Department wish you a safe and enjoyable 4^th of July celebration!

Happy 4th of July Queen Anne! Have a great weekend, and if you feel like sharing some of your favorite pictures of the fireworks, send them in to tips@queenanneview.com.

A man who claimed that he was injured by police outside the Lower Queen Anne Dick’s Drive In in 2007 has filed both state and federal lawsuits this week, alleging “a pattern of excessive force and police misconduct” in the Seattle Police Department, according to our news partner, The Seattle Times. From the Times:

The lawsuits say Dewoyne Lowe suffered a concussion and severe face cuts from police who knocked him to the ground outside the Queen Anne Dick’s Drive-In after Lowe and a companion argued with a security guard about whether the restaurant was open.

Lowe’s attorney, John Kannin, said one of the officers accused of punching his client is Officer Camilo DePina. Kannin says DePina is among the officers seen standing by in a videotape of a recent racially charged incident in which a Latino man was beaten by another police officer. That incident is under investigation by the FBI.

According to the Times, Lowe’s lawsuits allege two incidents involving DePina. In the first Lowe claims DePina knocked him down face first in the Dick’s parking lot. In the second he states that DePina slammed his head into a counter at a Seattle police station later. The lawsuits also names a second officer, Christopher Christman, who Lowe claims assisted in the attacks against him. Kannin stated that Lowe’s injuries were so severe that he required treatment at Harborview Medical Center. One noted injury was a cut through his eyebrow that required 12 stitches. From the Times:

Renee Witt, Seattle police spokeswoman, said the department would not comment on an active investigation or pending lawsuit.

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.