The Squeaky Wheel

Recently I posted about vacant lots in the Colman Triangle, with just a little extra attention paid to the lots owned by Tim O'Shea on Holgate between 24th and 25th. I've written about this lot in my own blog, and this summer have taken to calling him about once a week to clean up his property, and always got "it's on my calendar." And nothing would happen. Last week my neighbors and I stepped up the pressure: several calls daily, promises for more. I was just about to post old Tim to rottennieghbor.com.

On Monday, Tim came by with a crew who spent most of the day clearing the jungle that's grown up around his sometimes-vacant buildings.

There's more to do chez O'Shea: still people squatting there, and the lots are a menace, nuisance, annoyance...but at least the grass is cut.

Good work, squeaky wheel.

South Precinct Community Newsletter

The Rainier Valley Post just put up the latest newsletter from Marc Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator. Many in the Triangle get this regularly from Marc or forwarded from neighbors...or from other local blogs (thanks RVP!).

Marc's newsletter covers the good news about Night Out--record numbers of registered block parties citywide and in the South Precinct--and bad news about two shootings in the South Rainier Valley, one fatal.

We've been fortunate of late with regard to violent crime around the Colman Triangle, but with violence common up around 23rd & Jackson (the CDN Police Scanner frequently reports afternoon fights there), and this from the Police Scanner today...

3:52PM - 2400 S. Judkins - Fight Disturbance - 2 males fighting in the alley. A second caller thinks that one of the two is armed with a gun. Black male, 30s, black tanktop. one possibly with the gun is black male, black shirt, blue jeans. Update: An officer arrived quickly and spotted two eastbound on Judkins, one is carrying something in his left hand, but the officer can't make out what it is. Update x2: Officer: "I have two at gunpoint. Under control for now". Update x3: 2 in custody

...well, I just don't think we can count on every night being a Night-Out-chalk-art-in-the-street-love-fest.

Be safe, everybody!