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Home My WebLink AboutCSS 2023-08-14 Item 1B - Update - Public Safety around Tukwila International BoulevardCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Community Services and Safety Committee FROM: Eric Dreyer, Chief of Police BY: Eric Lund, Deputy Chief of Police CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: August 8, 2023 SUBJECT: Public Safety Around Tukwila International Blvd. ISSUE During the June 26, 2023 City Council meeting, a resident of S. 152nd St spoke on increased crime in his neighborhood and incidents that have occurred on his property. He requested the Council's assistance in mitigating the crime. BACKGROUND After the comments were received at the 6/26/23 council meeting, there was consensus from the council to forward the safety issues raised by this resident to committee for further discussion. The Police Department has analyzed the most current crime statistics in the immediate area. We have also met several times with management and residents of the Confluence Apts. to discuss resident safety and awareness. ANALYSIS The comments regarding crime seemed to imply that the crimes committed in this neighborhood were committed by people living at the Confluence Apts. It is difficult to determine the residency of suspects of crimes when they are not arrested. For information, there have been 3 reported incidents at the location of the resident who made public comment. Both of these incidents involved people trespassing on his property and "squatting" in an RV on the property. These incidents were reported in August of 2022, and two incidents in May of 2023. Analysis was completed of calls for service (CFS) data between 7/1/23 and 8/2/23 in the general area of S. 152nd St and Tukwila Intl Blvd. The top 3 locations for CFS in this time period were the Light Rail Station (69), AM/PM (32), and Confluence Apts (23). The Police Department has had several meetings with management at Confluence Apts. It was determined that the majority of problems on the property were from non-residents entering the property illegally. The perimeter fence has been cut several times allowing access directly from the Light Rail Station. Although the apartment building is secure, it is easily accessible by entering the garage or through exterior doors that are left open. The management at this property has been very proactive in partnering with the police department to make the property safe. Brooke Lamothe, Community Engagement Coordinator, has met with management and residents on April 13, 2023, May 25, 2023, and July 25, 2023. It is the Police Department's position that most calls for service in this area are related to the Light Rail Station and the criminal activity that occurs on the Light Rail property. With that, the Police Department has been very proactive in addressing the issues at the Light Rail Station. This includes emphasis patrols by utilizing officers on overtime and collaboration with our partners in Sound Transit and King County Sheriff's Office. 9 10 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 RECOMMENDATION This is for information only and no decisions are necessary. This information has been provided to promote discussion and any questions are welcomed. ATTACHMENTS Crime Statistics (7/1/23 — 8/2/23) Apartment Safety Flyer Vehicle Theft Prevention Flyer https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/Police/Info Memo - Public Safety Around TIB.docx Confluence Apartments Area Including Link Light Rail 7/1/2023 - 8/2/2023 Since 7/1, there have been 219 calls for service (CFS) in the area including S 152nd ST on the north, SR 518 on the south, 42nd Ave S on the east, and Tukwila International Blvd on the west. This area includes CFS occurring at the Link Light Rail Station, which map on the south side but could have occurred anywhere on the property. The top three call locations in this area are Link Light Rail (69), AM/PM (32), and Confluence Apartments (23). Not counting officer -initiated calls, CFS occur the most on Sunday through Tuesday, spread pretty evenly throughout the day, and are primarily dis- turbances and welfare checks. See chart for call types of 911 calls (not officer -initiated CFS). Officer -initiated activity accounts for 75 (34%) of CFS in the area, primarily extra patrols. N S 152nd St �u 32 152nd St "I 6 u 154th St outhcenter Blvd Southcenter B!vd Itsy 4 S 152nd �+ v 0 3 2 I. I Blvd Station Tukwila Intl Blvd ukwila International° Blvd Station 0 5a`� cQ�tet wQ usselltn S 152nd 5 0 u S any puzv 0 518 911 Dispatched Calls Call Type Categories Count 911 Hang -Up / Open Line 5 Accident - Non -Injury 4 Alarm Call 1 All Other 20 Assault/Battery 3 Burglary of Structure 1 Civil/Court 1 Disturbance 29 Domestic Dispute 3 Drug/Narcotic Violation 4 Fire or Fireworks 1 Harassment 5 Medical / Check Welfare 25 Motor Vehicle Theft 10 Noise Complaint 1 Parking Complaint 3 Recovered Property 1 Suspicious Activity 16 Theft 9 Vandalism 2 12 ICall 911 for emergencies and suspicious activity tukwilawa.gov/crime-mapping-statistics/ APARTMENT CRIME PREVENTION Apartment complexes are often a target for crime because there is a high concentration of belongings or vehicles. They are also a common site for "crimes of opportunity," such as someone leaving a door or window open or unlocked. Renters have limited options to add extra security. Aside from what property managers can do to keep the complex safe, there are several easy things you can do to keep yourself safe, including fellow residents. Everyone's safety is never guaranteed, but we can make ourselves and others safer by working together. SAFETY TIPS BUILDING ACCESS • Don't hold the door open for strangers • Close the door behind you • Don't leave doors propped open • Verify workers by ID cards or badges • Do not allow strangers into your unit • Do not give your key out VEHICLE SMARTS • Remove garage door opener from your vehicle • Use a steering wheel lock • Add a tracking device to your car • Remove all valuables and items from your vehicle DOORS AND WINDOWS • Always lock your doors & windows • Do not hide keys outside your home • Use window treatments • If the window is on the ground floor, the blind should be closed slats up. Otherwise, people can see in from the floors above. • Blinds on an upper floor should close slats down so someone on the ground floor can't see in. • Add drop bars, wooden dowels, or pinning devices to windows and sliding glass doors TUKWILA POLICE PERSONAL INFORMATION • Keep valuables in a safe deposit box • Take out -going mail directly to the Post office or deposit in a blue USPS Postal Box • Utilize Amazon lockers • Do not leave checkbooks or important financial information out in the open WHILE OUT OF TOWN • Don't post on social media that you are out of town • Put your mail on hold • Ask your neighbors to remove any fliers or packages for safekeeping • Request a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your apartment LANDSCAPING • Keep shrubs under 3 feet from the ground • Trim tree branches 4-5 feet off the ground II II TUKWILA POLICE VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION With the rise of vehicle thefts, every driver can benefit from learning more or being reminded about the best ways to prevent car theft. Crime data shows that most auto thefts occur at or around the home of the vehicle's owner. • Lock up your car • Keep your windows rolled up • Park in a well lit area • Leave nothing in your car • Never leave your car running and unattended • Don't leave your keys, spare keys, or garage door opener in your car • Get a steering wheel club • Purchase AirTags or another low cost tracking device • Install a vehicle immobilizer • Keep your car in a garage if you have one 14 • Keep your car doors locked while driving • When you're coming to a stop, leave enough space to maneuver around other cars. If you sense trouble, this will give you the room needed to escape. • If a suspicious -looking person approaches your car, drive away carefully