Distressing reports on car prowls and vandalism make us all uneasy. It’s hard not to be “creeped out” when we are victims, or just read reports of windshields and windows smashed, of electronics and other belongings stolen—all on our block, down our streets, and now in the Community Center parking lot. We in Montlake are not the only ones. This kind of crime is the most common one reported in Seattle, and reports are up all over. It’s no wonder– most car prowls last less than two minutes and score saleable goods. So this is just the time we need to all work together. Now What?
A Few Reminders For You On What To Do
Leave NO Valuables: electronics, cash, packages in your cars.
Lock car doors & Close windows; use anti-theft device.
Park in your garage & lock the garage doors
No garage? Then…
Park in best-lit location; consider adding lights, especially a motion detector light system (but be especially considerate to shield neighbors from light invasion).
Monitor your car, others’ cars and the whole street.
Speak to your neighbors AND say hello to strangers in your neighborhood, including the Community Center parking lot. (Let people know they are seen.)
CALL 9-1-1 for EVERY Prowl & EVERY Suspicious Activity (To the Police, an unreported crime “didn’t happen.”) Also report to your Block Watch Captain, your immediate neighbors, and to the Montlake community through the Forum.
For more guidance on car prowl prevention: http://www.seattle.gov/police/prevention/auto/carprowl.htm
MCC Launching 2015 Safety Initiative
Your Montlake Community Club Board is launching the 2015 Safety Initiative through three interconnected efforts (see the December 19, 2014 Montlake Flyer article):
1) Traffic Issues will continue to be addressed by neighbor volunteers led by Montlake Community Club Board member, Lionel Job.
2) Block Watch organizing and revitalization will be led by Bryan Haworth, another MCC Board member. This team will initiate activities to recruit, organize and update training for Block Watch captains.
3) Crime Incidence, Police Staffing & Service Priorities will be addressed by volunteers led by MCC Board members, Bob DeLay and Nathalie Gehrke.
As work proceeds, expect to get progress reports through the Montlake Flyer and Forum. And if you want to help, send a message to Safety@Montlake.net
Let’s Work on This! Let’s keep Montlake welcoming, neighborly, and safe—together.