KOMO:
The city’s police department is getting rid of its crime prevention coordinators.
The team plays a unique role in crime-fighting and were still on the job Friday, but time was running out.
They were told Wednesday about retirement options, and Friday they were ordered not to talk to the media. Read more.
How has South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon helped you or your neighborhood group? Use the comment section below to share your experience with your neighbors. Photo/Will Austin Photography
Related:
- Block Watch & Beyond: SPD to Host Community Safety Forums in Mt. Baker, Rainier Beach, Beacon Hill (6/23/10)
- Register your block for Night Out Against Crime 2010 (5/27/10)
- Rainier Chamber President’s Lunch Report #3: Mark Solomon Honored as Officer of the Quarter (6/25/09)
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
{ 13 comments }
“I have a real problem with that,” said John Kristof. “I would think the department would want to save these people, and would want it out for the community to be able to judge the value of this organization.”
Maybe the Mayor doesn’t want it out?
Mark Solomon is an asset and a half to our community, I do not know the other crime prevention coordinators but I’m sure they are just as important.
Pretty soon we’ll all be calling each other officer since we will be policing ourselves soon enough.
It would be a damn shame if they cut Mark Solomon. He’s an awesome guy and really cares about our community.
Mark Solomon is a connector of the communities in SE Seattle. His knowledge cannot be replaced. Neighbors come and go but… Mark goes out to all of the neighborhoods. Thinking about the city people I encounter, Mark & SPD go above and beyond. Mike McGinn should give Mark a raise and a promotion!
The South End cannot afford to lose Mark. He has been instrumental in helping us get our block watch started and being a liaison between our block and the police who help protect our community. Budget cuts or not we can’t lose people who care about our community. This really pisses me off. but yet we are going to build a tunnel to replace 99 viaduct.
Apparently these positions were funded under a federal grant, which is scheduled to end soon. http://westseattleblog.com/2010/06/spd-crime-prevention-cuts-latest-sign-it-might-really-happen
Mark Solomon has made a real difference for public safety projects on Beacon Hill. We would not have had the success we’ve had fighting crime without him.
Read the west seattle blog on proposed cuts to SPD crime prevention coordinators and saw the link to the flyer, which specifies action the public can take to make a difference:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mM86BL71hMo/S_NdH3570dI/AAAAAAAAAAU/sVE32rW5qJs/s1600/CCF05182010_00000.jpg
Every time we have a pattern of crime in our neighborhood, such as drug sales or car thefts, I leave a voice mail for Mark Solomon and give him the heads up. I’ve only spoken to him once, but I know for certain he follows up on my calls. I’ve seen the results in decreased crime, or the patterns stopping.
With the downturn in the economy, we’ve seen an increase in crime in our neighborhood. We need the Crime Prevention Coordinators more than ever!
Officer Solomon, thanks so much for your service to our community. I’m calling the Mayor’s office today to complain.
TAKE ACTION!!!!!!!
Call and write the city and SPD to oppose this:
Mayor’s Office, (206)684-4000
City Council Public Safety & Education Committee Chair, Tim Burgess, (206)684-8806
Police Chief Diaz’s office, (206)684-5525
Just called the number above and asked why the city is funding arts but will not fund crime coordinators. You cannot have a thriving arts area if people do not feel safe/are not helped in crime watch efforts.
This is short-sighted thinking. Mark Solomon helped us get our block watch re-started a few years ago and we have much better communications and a sense of togetherness than before.
Buy a gun. Then learn how to use it. Protect second amendment Constitutional rights. Obama doesn’t want you to have these rights.
Mark Solomon has been an invaluable support to the Mt. Baker Community. He has been available, helpful, informative, and supportive of our efforts at every turn.
If the presence of Mark Solomon is removed, it will be a step backwards for all of the neighborhoods in which he works.
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