(Recent screengrab from the “incident response” map [incidents are NOT “real-time”])
From last night’s West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meeting at the Southwest Precinct: A city delegation spoke to the group to provide a full list of online resources available from Seattle Police. Amy Hirotaka from the city’s Community Technology program, Sol Villareal from the mayor’s office, and Shanna Christie, who runs SPD’s online operations, were on hand. From the list she distributed:

SPD website: seattle.gov
SPD Blotter (summaries of some incidents): spdblotter.seattle.gov
SPD on Twitter: twitter.com/SeattlePD
SPD on Facebook: facebook.com/SeattlePolice
Download police reports online: seattle.gov/police/records/online.htm
Map of recent police reports: web5.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx
Map of recent 911 responses: web5.seattle.gov/mnm/incidentresponse.aspx
File a crime report online: seattle.gov/police/report
Crime statistics: seattle.gov/police/crime/stats.htm
Crime-prevention info: seattle.gov/police/prevention
Block Watch info: seattle.gov/police/programs/blockwatch
Night Out info: seattle.gov/police/nightout
Open city datasets (not just police/crime-related): data.seattle.gov

They also discussed what additional resources might be helpful; WSBWCN’s Deb Greer suggested a video explaining how to start a Block Watch. Christie says the SPD site is going “through a revamp process,” so comments are welcome: shanna.christie@seattle.gov.

WSBWCN also has links on its website from last night’s presentation – so far, two handouts with more context for city resources, current and future, and more may be added – here’s that link.

Aside from the presentation, one topic of discussion, brought up by attendees: Whether medical-marijuana businesses attract crime. The City Attorney’s precinct liaison, Henry Chae, said there aren’t many stats to point to yet. He reiterated that the city is continuing to wait to see what the state will do, as SB 5073 – which would license and regulate medical-marijuana enterprises – is still awaiting Governor Gregoire‘s action (she has hinted she might veto parts of it).

The West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meets on fourth Tuesdays at the SW Precinct, 6:30 pm. They’re online at wsblockwatchnet.wordpress.com and on Facebook here.