Transportation

KOMO (RVP news partner)

OTHELLO – Police have blocked off streets and shut down light rail service near Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South Othello Street as they investigate a suspicious package.

According to preliminary reports, the package was spotted near a Chase Bank in the vicinity.

An eyewitness told KOMO News that his wife went to an ATM at the bank and spotted a box with two bottles taped together with wires in the doorway of the bank.

The witness called police, who immediately closed down streets in the area.

Traffic is being re-routed around the area while a bomb squad investigates. The Othello light rail station also has been closed and commuters evacuated from the station.

This is a developing news story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

{ 4 comments }

COLUMBIA CITY – Earlier this week, we reported on an increase in violent street robberies throughout the Rainier Valley light rail corridor.

Seattle Police Department had reported that each of the four stations – Mount Baker, Columbia City, Othello and Rainier Beach – were “hotspots” where robbers have been targeting victims who are distracted by phones or iPods.

At the time, Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray said the agency had not seen reports of issues at light rail stations or on the trains.

Shortly thereafter, he revised Sound Transit’s response to include the report of a Nov. 16th robbery aboard a train that had just pulled into Columbia City station. He said a woman was sitting on the train when a young black male grabbed her phone and ran out the open doors.

“We’ve got the incident on tape and have been working with SPD to ID the thief,” said Gray. “The safety and security of our riders is Sound Transit’s top priority. We encourage all riders to be alert and aware of their surroundings.”

Gray – as well as Seattle Police Department – declined to provide any additional information about the incident, but he did emphasize that light rail has had nearly 6 million boardings since it opened in 2009.

Photo/Rainier Valley Post

{ 2 comments }

RAINIER VALLEY – Earlier this month, we learned that the Rainier Valley has seen an increase in violent street robberies.

The incidents have usually involved two to three male suspects who target a person walking alone and demand the victim’s cell phones, iPhones, iPods, wallets and jewelry. In some cases, weapons have been used, and in others, victims have been assaulted and – in the case of Danny Vega – even killed.

According to police, the robbers are targeting victims near bus stops and Light Rail stations who are distracted by phones or iPods.

“Some of the hotspots for this activity have been near the Mount Baker Light Rail Station, the Columbia City Light Rail Station, the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Way S & S Othello Street, and the area of Rainier Ave S & S Henderson Street,” read a recent community bulletin from South Precinct Commander Captain Michael Nolan and Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon.

Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray said the agency has not seen reports of issues at light rail stations or on the trains.

“All our stations are monitored VIA closed circuit cameras,” he said. “If anyone ever feels unsafe they should stay at the station and hit one of the emergency call buttons which will connect them directly with authorities.”

But longtime Rainier Valley resident and regular transit user Elizabeth McDaniel has started driving more instead of using the bus. ” I’m very concerned about the rise in street robberies especially since many of my family members use public transportation.”

Photo/Rainier Valley Post

{ 37 comments }

Seattle Times:

NEW HOLLY – Nhan Thai was a few steps from his front door when he was punched in the face and grabbed from behind. He felt a blow to his neck, his jacket was torn from his body and he was knocked to the pavement with a kick to his back.

Thai rolled over in time to see two black teenagers running off with his jacket and gym bag. He didn’t see their faces and could tell police only that they were dark-skinned and young, probably 15 or 16. One wore an orange jacket or sweatshirt.

Thai’s wallet, house keys, cellphone, iPod and camera were stolen in an attack that lasted only a couple of minutes but has had a lasting impact on his sense of security, so much so that he’s altered his daily routine. Read more.

NewHolly neighbor Nhan Thai was robbed while walking home from the Othello Light Rail station on Sept. 15, two months before Danny Vega, a 58-year-old hair stylist, was viciously beaten at a location about a half-mile away. Photo/Rainier Valley Post

{ 5 comments }