With no fires since the arrest of Kevin Todd Swalwell, arrested for investigation of first- and second-degree arson in relation to the chain of fires in Greenwood, the neighborhood welcomes a cautious relief while maintaining vigilance.
Swalwell's bail was set at $1 million by a King County District Court judge. After being spotted near the site of the fire at a vacant furniture store in Shoreline, 46-year-old Swalwell was arrested by members of an arson task force.
Assistant police Chief Paul McDonagh said Swalwell had been seen near three other set fires in Greenwood at a news conference last Friday. Swalwell gave a statement that led to his arrest and the belief he was involved in "some, if not all of the Greenwood arsons," said McDonagh.
In the last two years 68 fires, including17 in the last two months, have plagued Greenwood; all were arsons, said Kelvin Crenshaw, a special agent in charge of the Seattle field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, at the conference. A tip and eyewitness accounts spurred interest in Swalwell, leading to his arrest that was further solidified by forensic evidence and his statement, according to McDonagh.
"Hopefully," Crenshaw said, "we've reached the end of the road in the Greenwood fire era."
In a probable cause statement, Swalwell admitted to being present at a fire intentionally set Aug. 13, 2009 to a home in the 100 block of Northwest 84th Street, and the Seattle Police Identification Unit matched his palm prints on a container of charcoal lighter fluid left near the scene. Swalwell was also captured on surveillance video at 8516 Greenwood Ave. N. when a fire was set at the Olive You restaurant.
"Swalwell admitted to detectives, post Miranda warnings," the statement continues, "that he was solely responsible for setting this fire, along with several other fires in the Greenwood neighborhood."
Swalwell, a homeless man, has a list of criminal records including four counts of first-degree arson and two counts of second-degree arson. Swalwell was convicted on all six of those counts.
A person is guilty of first-degree arson when he or she "knowingly and maliciously causes a fire or explosion dangerous to any human life, causes a fire or explosion which damages a dwelling, or on property valued at $10,000 or more with intent to collect insurance proceeds," according to the Washington State Legislature. Arson in the first degree is a class A felony. Second-degree arson is a class B felony, in which a suspect intentionally starts a fire that damages a building, any structure or property.
Despite Swalwell's arrest, arson patrols will continue, deputy police chief Clark Kimerer said. "We need to stay vigilant," Kimerer said.
Though, "We have no reason to believe at this point there will be a copycat," he added.
It's unclear at this point if additional suspects are connected to the crimes and the investigation is ongoing and active. Another suspect was arrested and questioned the same day as Swalwell, but was released.
After feeling anxious, the Greenwood community moves forward with a long list of fundraising and community clean up efforts.
"As the arsons went on I became more and more anxious," said Cindy Potter, co-founder of Greenwood Aurora Involved Neighbors (GAIN). "When it was happening it felt like all of us were victimized because it's all part of our same community."
When Potter heard about Swalwell's arrest she said she was completely relieved.
"I'm hoping this will be the end," Potter said, "to the businesses getting hurt and we can focus more on the recovery and rebuilding of the businesses."
GAIN has had two walks in the last week and will have another neighborhood walk this Saturday.
While the investigation of the Greenwood fires remains active, businesses damaged and destroyed by the arsons are getting many helping hands from the community. More than $5,000 has been raised, and $4,000 was distributed to the four businesses destroyed in a fire on Oct. 23 - the Green Bean Coffee house, Pho Tic Tac, Szechuan Bistro and C.C. Teriyaki.
The Greenwood Fire Relief Fund Board (GFRF) will continue to manage and distribute donated money in the upcoming months, and expand donations to businesses that were damaged not just destroyed
A host of fundraising events for the GFRF are planned, including a silent auction Dec. 18 at the Upper Crust Catering Banquet Room, a free form open mic Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. at Mars Hill Graduate School with suggested donations of $1-$10, and two staged readings Dec. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. of "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol" - the show postponed by Taproot Theatre due to severe damages in the Oct. 23 fire. The GFRF at Chase Bank continues to accept donations.
Additionally, the Green Bean Coffee House reopened last Saturday in the coffee shop space of Sip & Ship at 8560 Greenwood Ave. N. Business owner Stephen Naramore shut down his coffee shop business and is renting the space to Green Bean until it finds a new location.
Swalwell's criminal past
• March 1983-July 1987: one account of second-degree arson
• November 1995-2002: four counts of first-degree arson, one count of second-degree arson
• December 2006-November 2007: drug possession
Relief Fund Opportunities
•Silent auction Dec. 18 at The Upper Crust Catering Banquet Room.
• Two staged readings of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol, the show Taproot Theatre postponed due to the Greenwood fire. Proceeds to benefit the Greenwood Fire Relief Fund (GFRF).
• Karma by the Cup will donate 5 percent of their profits this quarter to the GFRF.
• A Free Form Open Mic with poetry, music, dance and storytelling on Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 p.m. at Mars Hill Graduate School, (2501 Elliot Ave.).
• A fund has been set up at Viking Bank to assist Taproot Theatre's recovery efforts. Donations can be made at any Viking Bank branch; ask for the 'Fire Relief Fund."
• The Greenwood Senior Center will host an Alternative Gift Fair on Monday, Dec. 14, 1-8 p.m. The Green Bean Coffehouse will be one of the beneficiaries.
• Peet's Coffee & Tea in Interbay has chosen the GFRF as its Holiday non-profit.
• Q Cafe in Interbay, will donate 10 percent of their sales in January to the Green Bean.
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