UPDATE:  The Magnolia Community Club has just announced that the general meeting next month will focus on crime prevention in Magnolia.  The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 11 from 7 to 9p.m. in the Blaine cafeteria. Representatives from the Seattle Police Department will share information about the recent burglaries in the area and what residents can do to focus on staying safe.  

Terrie Johnston from Seattle Police Department just sent us this information about the recent home burglaries in Magnolia:On 1-5-10, a Magnolia resident came home mid-afternoon to discover his home on Raye Street had been forcibly burglarized.   The victim called 911 and waited for officers to check the home before entering. While the investigation continued, the victim left the residence and noticed two subjects pass him on Dravus Street. They were carrying what he believed to be some of his stolen items.  The victim called 911 and while following the suspects from a safe distance & unnoticed, was able to direct the officers to the suspects’  location where they were arrested.  Through the tireless work of the burglary detectives, all sorts of evidence is being processed in an attempt to link these suspects to other Magnolia/Queen Anne burglaries.  I think it is safe to say that without the victims 911 calls these suspects might not have been arrested so promptly.  The dedicated detectives are also working with other police jurisdictions to link up evidence in other burglaries involving other suspects.

Johnston also says that in the recent break ins, many of the entries are being made through doors or windows left open or unlocked.  She also says that at least a few of the burglarized homes had alarm systems which were not turned on. She says that if  you discover your home has been burglarized, do not clean up the crime scene because officers need to be able to get usable information.

Johnston also encourages people to report suspicious activity to call 911, even if what you are reporting is not an emergency.  If you want to set up a block watch in your neighborhood or have a free home security survey, please contact her at the West Precinct at 206-684-4741 or  terrie.johnston@seattle.gov.