Sat., Nov. 18, 11:43 p.m. Sixth and Cherry, parking lot.
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) contacted Seattle Police and requested they respond to the 700 block of Sixth Ave. to remove about 20 transients who were camping under I-5. The lot is clearly posted “No Trespassing” in numerous places – SDOT were there to clean the lot. Upon arrival officers activated their overhead lights and announced their presence via PA, and informed everyone to gather their belongings and leave. Officers came upon the suspect, a transient black male aged 56, asleep at the end of the parking lot. An officer, who identified himself as SPD, and who requested the suspect leave the area, contacted him. He informed him he would be arrested if he did not leave – suspect did not reply or move. The officer asked him his name, and the suspect mumbled something unintelligible. Officer asked him to speak up, and asked his name again. Suspect looked blank. Officer arrested suspect “Doe” for trespassing and obstruction and advised him of his rights. Suspect remained silent. He was transported to King County Jail. While at jail he refused to answer any of the staff’s questions and was booked for trespass.
Thurs., Dec. 14, 1:40 p.m., Fourth Ave. S., Smart Glass.
An officer on patrol was checking the premises of the above business as they report they have an ongoing problem with transients breaking into company vehicles and using them to camp and drink. Complainant states that the problem has gotten so bad that they are afraid to lock the company vans because the windows have been broken out so many times. On Dec. 12 the officer checked the property and found the suspect, a transient Native American male aged 46, inside a van. Suspect was sitting in the front seat, asleep. Officer woke the man and explained that the owner of the van did not want the suspect in his van, or on his property. Suspect stated he understood, and would not go into any of the vehicles without the owner’s permission. On Dec. 14 the same officer was checking the business, and found the suspect sitting in the same van, asleep in the passenger seat. He recognized the man from their previous encounter. He woke suspect and requested he leave the vehicle, and then told him he was under arrest for trespassing and vehicle prowling. Suspect was read his rights, and stated that he knew he was not supposed to be inside the van or on the property, but he was trying to get out of the rain. Officer asked the suspect why he did not go to a shelter, such as Chief Seattle Club, and suspect replied that they were closed from 7 a.m to 9 a.m. Officer asked him what time it was, and suspect replied 3. The officer then asked him why he did not go there now, and suspect mumbled something about the officer enjoying his job. While in the police car the suspect stated that he did not care if he went to jail because he would be out in a few hours and would come right back here to sleep in the van. Suspect was arrested and booked into King County jail for trespass and vehicle prowling.
Compiled from incident reports of the Seattle Police Department by Emma Quinn. Got your own experience to relate? Call us at (206) 441-3247 ext. 207 and we'll get the scoop.
For copy of actual issue, go to https://www.realchangenews.org/2007/01/31/jan-31-2007-entire-issue