As a dozen East Precinct patrol officers prepare to begin testing SPD’s new body camera program next week (and get ready for new uniforms, a new Capitol Hill-designed patch, and new SUV patrol vehicles), maybe the department can make some headway on the latest scourge identified by the department’s new SeaStat crime analytics. If not, you might want to walk when you go check out the new home of Lark in the Central Agency building.
Identifying a trend CHS reported on in early November, SPD’s number crunchers say central Capitol Hill is part of a corridor of theft for Seattle car prowlers with more than 30% of the city’s prowling crimes occurring within a square mile and a half swath.
Overall, CHS’s analysis of SPD reports showed 2014 was on pace to produce about a third more reports of auto thefts and car prowls than 2013 in East Precinct beats covering Capitol Hill.
The worst recent concentration according to the SeaStat analysis was reported in the Union Triangle area bounded by Broadway, E Union, Madison and 12th Ave.
In the meantime, SPD has put renewed energy into addressing property crime after reports earlier this year of burglaries in the city not being investigated.
This shouldn’t surprise anyone. There is a ton of construction in this triangle area for the past 2 years. It has almost turned into the forgotten corner of the hill.
Not a big surprise. I’ve lost count how many broken-into cars I’ve seen around the Madison overpass connecting 6th and 7th Avenues. If you’d like your window smashed, park your car there.
More often than not, it’s the scumbags living north of the Madison and Seneca overpasses in the tents that are breaking into the cars so they can get drug money.
Prowlers gathering between the University and IHOP, note to self.
The lighting in this area is terrible and it’s hard to see people once it gets dark. It’s a miracle pedestrations aren’t hit at night. It would help if the construction crews would leave lights on.
[…] In late 2014, CHS noted the upswell in car prowls and auto theft around Capitol Hill and SPD has identified the neighborhood hot spots to watch out for. But the information won’t help one extremely unlucky victim who says she […]