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News & ArtsWednesday, November 11, 2009
City An Epidemic of Arson in Greenwood
Posted by K.C. on Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 1:49 PM
There have been fourteen fires in the Greenwood neighborhood since June, Assistant Seattle Fire Chief A.D. Vickery told the crowd at a large community meeting at the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church last night. Though city officials have yet to figure out whether they are dealing with one culprit or several, one thing is certain: none of these fires was accidental.
- Kaia Chessen
The recent scourge of arson in Greenwood has severely injured one man and devastated many businesses, and now the intentional fires seem to be escalating in frequency and audacity (this week alone there were three fires set in one night, beginning late Sunday and stretching into the early hours of Monday morning).
In his 20 years of serving the community, Vickery told the meeting, he has seen six fire fighters perish in the line of duty, each one from a fire caused by arson. “We are taking this very seriously,” he said.
- Kaia Chessen
This was the second time he had given the speech yesterday evening.
Only one meeting had been planned last night, but a second one was called before the first had even concluded because the room set aside for the original meeting was full by starting time (and, seeing as the fire department was helping to run the meeting, the room's fire-code limit of 400 people was strictly adhered to). Meanwhile, another several hundred anxious residents convened in the lobby and sanctuary, waiting for the meeting’s impromptu sequel to commence. SeattlePI.com estimates a total of 800 people attended, while the Phinney ridge Blog estimated 600, but whatever the number, it seemed as though the entire neighborhood—whether out of fear, anger, concern—had descended upon the church.
- Kaia Chessen
Mayor-elect Mike McGinn made an appearance, reassuring the crowd that his team was doing its part (maintaining street lights; upping the frequency of the city’s trash and recycling pick-up regimen), as did City Councilman Nick Licata. Vickery and Acting Assistant Seattle Police Chief Paul McDonagh warned residents to keep porch lights on and flammable material under wraps—and not to sleep in their places of business. (No one is going to catch any criminals that way, they said, and you are putting yourselves in danger.)
McDonagh informed the crowd of an increased police presence in both “visibile and invisible” vehicles. But, he reminded them, "you are our eyes and ears.” He also reminded the crowd that the recent murder of Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton was resolved through tips from the public. He hoped these crimes might be as well.
A man who introduced himself as Steve, the owner of a local establishment, The Pig and Whistle, was skeptical of police efforts. He spoke of an encounter he had had recently with a man who he believed to be the arsonist himself: a young white man, 19-22 years old, skeletally thin, who had somehow managed to climb under wire fencing at the Rosewood Guitar Shop. He described the man as having a strange smile, looking up at the wreckage. “He was admiring his work,” Steve said. “He got scared when he saw me.” He reported the interaction, but police did not arrive for several hours. “To them it’s just a job,” he said, “but to me, it’s my life.”
- Kaia Chessen
Another woman, the manager of the former Green Bean Coffeehouse on NW 85th Street (now no more than ash and rubble) said the cafe had had some insurance, but not enough to refurbish everything that was lost. They might get enough insurance money to re-purchase the equipment, but that’s still up in the air. “We had a whole registry of customers who had prepaid, up to $50, for drinks," she said. "All of our records of that are gone now."
One man had formed a community watch group that is patrolling the streets at night. “Is it best to patrol by car or on foot?” he asked McDonagh.
“You are more than welcome to do it, but call 911 if you see something," McDonagh replied. "Don’t make contact. That’s what you pay us to do.”
Currently, the reward offered for information leading to the arrest of the arsonist(s) is $25,000. The estimated damages? $2 million and growing.
1
Thank you for covering these crimes in Greenwood. As a Greenwood neighbor, I can tell you that we are angry and determined to stop this madness. Interesting to hear the story about the owner of the Pig N Whistle. I hope the cops do step up with the same intensity that they used when finding the man who killed Officer Benton. This person(s) is ruining people's lives, and putting physical lives at risk.
3
The police and fire department could care less what happens in Greenwood. After all, it's north of the ship canal.
5
" After all, it's north of the ship canal."
No, it's north of 85th, the official Northern border to the Great White North.
No, it's north of 85th, the official Northern border to the Great White North.
6
WHy has noone put the connection together: Mike McGinn from Greenwood is elected Mayor and these Arsons increase frequency? Is Mike McGinn responsible?
7
Lovely Linda, the Ship Canal has ALWAYS been the border. That's where the original redline was, after all. Don't try to shirk tradition.
But seriously: Why are the serial arsonists always from the north end? Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but it is sort of weird.
But seriously: Why are the serial arsonists always from the north end? Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but it is sort of weird.
8
Anyone remember the documentary (now quite old) about arson where at the end they pan away from the firefighter, who provided much of the documentary's content via interview, to show that he is in an orange prison jumper and, SURPRISE!, the arsonist himself? I can't remember the title of the piece or if it was a feature length or just a TV show but I remember being surprised by the statistics discussed at the end about how many arsonists are actually fire fighters. This study, albeit outdated, seems to confirm it's more than urban legend.
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/lear.htm
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/lear.htm
9
@3 it's just not true that "police and fire department could care less what happens in Greenwood."
The police definitely know that the north precinct has the highest number of crime incidents of any precinct in the city, including south Seattle.
I also know they will place a high priority on a situation like this. If you only want to take a cynical perspective on this, they will place a high priority on this for no other reason than the fact that 6 firefighters have all died over the years from arson fires, so they anticipate that this firebug could cost a firefighter their life in trying to put out he/she set.
The police definitely know that the north precinct has the highest number of crime incidents of any precinct in the city, including south Seattle.
I also know they will place a high priority on a situation like this. If you only want to take a cynical perspective on this, they will place a high priority on this for no other reason than the fact that 6 firefighters have all died over the years from arson fires, so they anticipate that this firebug could cost a firefighter their life in trying to put out he/she set.
10
@7,
Catalina, I'm stunned that you don't remember that there is special significance to 85th - anything north of it wasn't part of Seattle until it was annexed in the 50's.
And while Martin Pang wasn't a serial arsonist, he was from south of the Ship Canal.
Historical nitpicking aside, I truly hope they catch this guy (and it's bound to be a guy) before he kills someone.
Catalina, I'm stunned that you don't remember that there is special significance to 85th - anything north of it wasn't part of Seattle until it was annexed in the 50's.
And while Martin Pang wasn't a serial arsonist, he was from south of the Ship Canal.
Historical nitpicking aside, I truly hope they catch this guy (and it's bound to be a guy) before he kills someone.
11
Apart from the fear/anger/disgust I feel for this being inflicted upon my beloved Greenwood, this situation reminds me of Paul Kenneth Keller. Do a Wiki search on him for basic info. He's serving 99 years for setting 32 fires in Seattle and vicinity - which killed 3 people - including at the Four Freedoms retirement home, which is three blocks from where I live.
It's a fucked pathology that ranks right up there - inciting fear in an entire community, victimizing at random (or seemingly so). This piece of shit is enjoying the power trip and probably clips news articles about this to stroke his own ego.
It's only a matter of time before they get him - god, do I hope.
It's a fucked pathology that ranks right up there - inciting fear in an entire community, victimizing at random (or seemingly so). This piece of shit is enjoying the power trip and probably clips news articles about this to stroke his own ego.
It's only a matter of time before they get him - god, do I hope.
12
As a resident of North Greenwood, I am outraged. I frequent the shops on 85th and am scared that this asshole is going to hit my two fav spots Naked City or Wayward next.
"“You are more than welcome to do it, but call 911 if you see something," McDonagh replied. "Don’t make contact. That’s what you pay us to do.”" Bullshit.
I will at least shoot (as in photograph) this motherfucker if I catch him in the act of acting suspicious or loitering inappropriately. Shit, he will be lucky if I don't fucking hog tie and gag him personally. If the owner of P&W possibly saw him, called the cops and they took 2 hours!? WTF, you think they would be flying to get there to try to catch the little scrub. No way would I let that scrawny little POS go with out a confrontation and some photos.
"“You are more than welcome to do it, but call 911 if you see something," McDonagh replied. "Don’t make contact. That’s what you pay us to do.”" Bullshit.
I will at least shoot (as in photograph) this motherfucker if I catch him in the act of acting suspicious or loitering inappropriately. Shit, he will be lucky if I don't fucking hog tie and gag him personally. If the owner of P&W possibly saw him, called the cops and they took 2 hours!? WTF, you think they would be flying to get there to try to catch the little scrub. No way would I let that scrawny little POS go with out a confrontation and some photos.
13
"the Ship Canal has ALWAYS been the border."
Lovely Catalina, that's our SOUTHERN border here in the Great LIberal White North. Greenwood is where we go on the Northside to experienece the "CD of Seattle's Northside".
Now back to wasting taxpayers money at your sh*tty city job.
Lovely Catalina, that's our SOUTHERN border here in the Great LIberal White North. Greenwood is where we go on the Northside to experienece the "CD of Seattle's Northside".
Now back to wasting taxpayers money at your sh*tty city job.
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