The streets will be watching on Aug. 7 as the National Night Out against crime celebrates its 24th anniversary this year. Streets and blocks throughout the South End will be closed down for neighborhoods to gather to defend against crime in their back yards.
According to South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon, nearly 100 small block parties will be held in the early evening hours in the Beacon Hill, Georgetown and Rainier Valley areas.
BEACON HILL
Neighbors in Beacon Hill are gathering at the intersection of 18th Avenue South and South Bayview Street from 6-9 p.m., Aug. 7. Area resident and Block Watch captain, Lee Shaw says the meeting will be very casual but always proves to be fun.
"We'll just be meeting old and new neighbors, sharing stories, ideas and barbecuing," said Shaw, who noted the party will be moved two blocks east this year from its original home on 20th Avenue South.
"We really look out for each other around here, and crime has seemed to die down a bit."
Shaw noted that the most frequent crime in the area came in the form of petty thefts, "smash and grab" car break ins and some drug related activity. Shaw's neighborhood - which also uses the help of a very active neighborhood blog (beaconwatch.blogspot.com/) to keep crime to a low - says the group is now celebrating their fourth annual block party against crime.
SEWARD PARK
Neighbors nearby 57th Avenue South between South Dawson Street and South Brandon Street will be gathering around 6 p.m. for a potluck in their fifth year of celebration. Area resident Linda Lubol says the party is growing steadily these days, as it plans to invite five of the neighboring blocks in the area.
"Around here there's a lot of car prowling and little break ins," said Lubol, who noted that crime has not seen a waver in her estimation. "We've sadly been getting used to it, so it'll be nice to get together with old and new neighbors [over it]."
Lubol also said that strategies to fight criminals in her neighborhood include an email list and old fashioned word-of-mouth to keep crime to a minimum.
RAINIER BEACH
On Orchard Place South between Seward Park Avenue South and Rainier Avenue South, neighbors in the area will be gathering for their fourth straight year, in a community heavily motivated to rid themselves of crime. Area resident, Leslie Miller says her neighbors frequently gather in the area for safety meetings, safety walks and other events in addition to the annual National Night Out.
"We've had a great turn out the last few years," said Miller, whose neighborhood is a part of the Seattle Neighborhood Group's Weed & Seed program, which is meant to isolate and neutralize drug and gang related crime. "It helps connect people who are normally afraid of getting together with the neighborhood police officers over serious issues."
The group, which was awarded funds for the event by HomeSight, will offer both regular and kosher foods and inflatable play toys for children during their potluck.
"We deal with a lot of drug-related crime in this area," said Miller who also noted prostitution as a concern for her area. "A couple of homes were broken into a few weeks ago as well. It's gotten better, but it's nice when we can get together."
GEORGETOWN
Georgetown area residents are joining at a number of different locations including one party on Flora Avenue South between East Marginal Way and South Willow Street and another on South Orcas Street from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for the National Night Out. According to area resident, Merchants Association chair and Community Council director, Kathy Nyland, five or six blocks will be shut down on South Flora Street for the event.
"It's great to let [criminals] know that we are out there and we're watching," said Nyland who noted her car has been broken into nearly six times since living in the Georgetown area. "Lately, people feel as if groups have been casing out the neighborhood with door-to-door scams in addition to the everyday car break-ins."
The neighborhood gathers monthly for Community Council meetings as well as publishing a newsletter to help keep residents informed of local issues. Still, Nyland joked, no remedy was better than her dog, who's caught two criminals in the act of burglary.
"She's great," Nyland laughed. "It's great to have a guard dog around!"
HILLMAN CITY
In the area's first official Night Out gathering, Hillman City residents will meet on the corner of Rainier Avenue South and South Findlay Street from 6:30-9 p.m. for a block party sponsored by the Hillman City Business Association. Residents won't just be fed, they'll also be entertained by a local world music act and both children and adults can enjoy popcorn and other treats.
"I'm really hoping this can ignite the neighborhood," said Denise Gloster, Hillman City Business Association founder and president. "We need to help make it safer around here by maintaining good communication with each other."
According to Gloster, nearly $1,700 has been donated for the event while an additional $1,840 was awarded for the event through The Seattle Foundation's Neighbor to Neighbor Fund.
"There really are some [crime] issues that need to be addressed around here," she said.
It's not too late to register a block party for the 24th Annual National Night Out against crime.
To register your neighborhood's block party, visit www.nationaltownwatch.org.
Central Area writer Josh Sabrowsky may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.
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