Update on Trafton Street Shooting

We have reached out to our Tacoma Police CLO to get more inofmrtion about the burglary and shooting in the 1000 block of S. Trafton early Sunday morning.  We will share any new ifo we get.  If you live in the area and have any info, please email us at friendsofsouth12thstreet@gamil.com and we will pass it along.

We have not been had an increase in number of home burglaries in our area for a while, in fact it has been pretty quite oerall.  The time of day (4:30am) also is not a normal period that home burglaries are committed.   It is my opinion this was not a random break in.  However, residents should always be on the lookout for suspicious activty.

Join A Block Watch

Friends of South 12th Street is helping to organize our neighborhood and increase the number of Block Watch  groups in the area.  Statistics show that there is reduction of crime in areas that have an organized and active Block Watch program.  We have created a new page on our blog devoted to this effort.  On the new "Block Watch Program" page, we have divided our service area into Block Watch groups.  Below the map is a list of neighborhoods that have a Block Watch programs and the Block Captain's contact information.  "It is my dream to have an organized block watch program on all of the blocks in the Friends of South 12th Street area", says Tim Robertson of Friends of South 12th Street.

We need your help to make this happen.  First, if your neighborhood has an active block watch program, please email us at friendsofsouth12thstreet@gmail.com so we may update the block watch listings. 

Second, if your block does not have a block watch program, please consider being the captain of your block.  Being  a block captain requires little to no time on your part.  Simply let your neighbors know about the block watch and encourage them to connect with Friends of South 12th Street.  As new folks move into your area, introduce yourself and welcome to the neighborhood.  Invite them to join the block watch and connect with Friends of South 12th Street.  If there are issues or crime in your area, you would report it to Friends of South 12th Street, just as you have done in the past.  Please consider becoming the Block Watch Captain for your block by emailing us at friendsofsouth12thsteet@gmail.com . 

Burglary And Shooting -1000 block S. Trafton

Report from - TNT Lights and Sirens

A 19-year-old Tacoma man was shot early this morning as he tried to chase about three masked men who broke into his home, said police spokesman Mark Fulghum.

Police were called about 4:24 a.m. this morning to the home in the 1000 block of South Trafton Street, Fulghum said.

The man was home with his family, in his room, when the suspects kicked in the front door. The victim ran out and chased the suspects to the common entryway of the two-unit building, at which point one of the suspects shot him near the hip, Fulghum said.

The victim was taken to the hospital for the non-life-threatening injury, Fulghum said.

All the suspects, who were dressed in black, fled, and the investigation is ongoing, Fulghum said.

INITIAL POST: A 19-year-old man was shot early this morning by people breaking into his home, KIRO-TV reports.

Tacoma police received a call about the shooting at 4:24 a.m. in the 1000 block of Trafton Street, according to KIRO.

Police told KIRO that two or three masked intruders broke into the home by kicking in the door. At least one had a gun, and all were dressed in black.

The victim was shot outside the house and his father chased the suspects with a baseball bat, the victim’s  uncle told KIRO.

Relatives told KIRO that seven people were home during the incident, and that the victim is okay.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2012/07/29/tacoma-man-shot-by-suspects-breaking-into-his-home/#storylink=cpy

Get Ready to Shop the Neighborhood Yard Sale - 8/25

Good news - We just made the 10 participant cut-off for this year's neighborhood yard sale. Get ready to shop, shop, shop on Aug. 25!

We'll have more details soon including a list of all the sale locations and the types of deals you can expect to find.

Male Prowler Description

Here is a description of the male prowler subject in the S. 10th and Pine area.

Male
6 feet tall
Thin build
Medium skin tone Africian American
White baseball hat 
Late teens, early 20's

Possible Attempted Home Burglary Report

Reported from our Facebook page

I live on South 10th and Pine and last night caught an African American male wearing a baseball cap and baseball jersey attempting to open our gate and step into our yard around 9:30p.m. I had gotten up to shut our dining room windows and caught him by surprise. He immediately took off. He appears to be matching the description of some earlier interactions neighbors have had with this individual and suspicious activity that was posted about a week ago. I wanted to make everyone aware he is still roaming the neighborhood.


THIS IS THE 2ND REPORT RECEIVED ABOUT A SUSPICOUS BLACK MALE PROWLING CARS AND HOMES IN THE AREA   THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY BURGLARIES DURING THIS TIME PERIOD, BUT SEVERAL CAR PROWLSS BETWEEN 6TH AND S. 8TH.

NEIGHBORS SHOULD BE ON THE WATCH FOR SUSPICOUS ACTIVITY / BALCK MALE CASING CARS AND HOMES (IN THE ALLEY)/  KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE SUSPECT AND CALL 911.  

Only one week left to sign-up for the neighborhood yard sale

There's only one week left to sign up for this year's neighborhood yard sale. The yard sale is scheduled for Saturday Aug. 25.

Friday, July 27 is the deadline to be sure your sale is included in all advertising. We need at least 10 participating homes to make this event happen. To sign-up, just contact Holly at 253-389-6876 or hstewart@friendsofsouth12thstreet.com.

Neighbor Confronts Suspicious Male

Report from Scott

Tonight around 8pm my wife and two of my children were on the front lawn waiting for me to come out and do some painting on the house. We live on the 800 block of South Anderson. A black male, early twenties wearing  a black jacket with white sleeves and a baseball cap with white, black and red on it, was passing by (in the street, not sidewalk) walking towards 8th from the corner of 9th slowly looking at the houses around my family as well as our house. He stared at my wife and continued to walk, stopping by my neighbors truck, texting on phone, then turned around and walked toward our van stopping by the drivers window and texting again. He then turned the corner of 9th and my wife called for me. After describing him and what he was doing I decided to go in our back yard to see if he was coming down the alley. Our alley neighbors who live on South Pine were out and saw me looking out our back yard. The man came down the alley as we went about our business pretending not to be staring him down. He kept looking back to see if we were watching, which we were. He stopped behind the house two doors down from me and was texting, looking into the back yard. When he noticed I was giving him a steady look we locked eyes. I told him not to be surprised if everyone is watching him, that we are a tight knit neighborhood and always watch out for people we don't know. He told me he was waiting for his friend at that house. I said "oh, ok. you are friends with them?" and he said he was. I went back to my front yard and told my wife. Then I decided to go back to the alley to chat with my Pine St. neighbors about this. They were already looking down the alley at him as he was walking further toward 8th. I then went out front again and told my wife I was going to knock on the door of the home he said he was waiting for a friend to come from. They didn't know him and were not waiting for anyone. So now I knew he was lying to me. 

We are all aware of strangers when they come through. This one was obviously casing our homes. I don't thing he'll come back but we are ready if he does. Keep in mind that burglars know during this hot weather that we leave windows and doors open to cool off and they may be bold enough to slip in while you are in your yard or stepping out for a bit. Never be afraid to question someone you know doesn't live on your street or behind you if they are lurking around your home. They will either lie or get defensive if they are up to no good. If they are legit, then they most likely will be somewhat cordial and tell you who they are visiting.

Great job keeping a watchful eye out and being aware of what visitors are doing in your neighborhood Scott.  I like that you know your neighbors and were not hesitant to check with them to confirm his story.  There continues to be numerous car prowls each week from 6th Ave to S. 8th, largely in part to the business district.  Remember to call 911 or the non emergency dispatch  number 253 978-4722 anytime you observe suspicious activity.  Great job!!!

NEW NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME STATUS SYSTEM INTRODUCED

Being aware of crime and issues occurring in our neighborhood is the first step to crime prevention. By knowing the current types of crime occurring, taking steps to reduce your risk of being a victim, and watching out for your neighbors will result in a reduction of crime in our area.

 To help residents easily identify the levels and crime threats in our neighborhood, we have developed an easy to understand green, yellow, red status signal.  When you visit the Friends of South 12th Street blog, you will immediately see the current "Neighborhood Crime Status" in the right hand margin.  Anytime the crime status light changes, email subscribers will immediately receive a notice of the change and reasons for the change.  Remember to first report suspicious activity to 911 and then send Friends of South 12th Street an email at friendsofsouth12thstreet@gmail.com with the details so that we may pass it along to the neighborhood.  Please feel free to post your feedback and comments about this new system on the blog.   

Green Light Status indicates that the overall occurrence of crime in our neighborhood is low. This is a great time to breathe a sigh of relief, but do not let your crime fighting guard down. Continue to keep an watchful eye out and immediately report suspicious activity to 911.

Yellow Light Status indicates a moderate level of crime is occurring in our neighborhood. Residents should be alert and mindful of unfamiliar vehicles and visitors in the area. Continue to keep an watchful eye out and immediately report suspicious activity to 911.

Red Light Status indicates that there is a high level of crime, or that the type of crimes occurring in our neighborhood poses a significant risk. Residents should be extremely alert and very aware of unfamiliar vehicles, sounds, and visitors in the area. Residents are strongly urged to immediately report any suspicious activity to 911. Remember to also report any crime related information to Friends of South 12th Street at friendsofsouth12thstreet@gmail.com so that we can share that information with the neighborhood.