Officers are currently conducting an area search for several suspects who remain at large.  The suspects are described as wearing masks, dark hooded sweatshirts and dark clothing.

With the theme, “Heroes Among Us”, the gala paid a fitting tribute to the men and women of the Seattle Police Department who protect our city every day and night.  Joining me at the event were Officers Joe Cepeda and Ryan Gallagher of Seattle Police Pipes and Drums, Detective Kim Bogucki of the “If Project”, Sergeant Kevin Grossman, Hostage Negotiator and Professional Standards supervisor and Sergeant Sean Whitcomb of Public Affairs.  They are just a select few of the heroes that have dedicated themselves to a career of public service – our department consists of hundreds of men and women just like them.  In fact, a number of department members – sworn and civilian, uniformed and plain-clothes – volunteered their time to attend this amazing event to ensure its success.

This event would not have been possible without the tireless effort of the members of the Seattle Hotel Association and Seattle Hotel Association President Howard Cohen.  I cannot begin to express the immense gratitude that I have for Howard, his board and those that worked closely with them to support their efforts. 

For the Seattle Police Foundation to have been selected as a beneficiary of the Seattle Hotel Association’s “Evening of Hope” fundraiser is truly an honor.  It is a great benefit to the Seattle Police Department and the communities that we serve.  Since 2002, the Seattle Police Foundation has raised more than five million dollars.  That money has been invested in community partnerships, employee development and specialized equipment and technology for our officers.  Many of you probably aren’t aware that department units like SWAT, CSI, Victim Support Team, K-9, and Patrol Operations are regular recipients of bi-annual grants funded by the Seattle Police Foundation.  Our Picnic in the Precinct program wouldn’t be possible without the Foundation and let’s not forget the horses!  In 2011, the Seattle Police Foundation stepped in to conduct a fundraising campaign to preserve our historic Mounted Patrol Unit, some of the most visible and beloved members of our department.

The work behind this year’s Evening of Hope has clearly been rewarded.  The Seattle Hotel Association successfully raised over $400,000.  Clearly, there is no shortage of generosity and goodwill in our community! 

As Chief of Police and on behalf of the men and women of the Seattle Police Department, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to those who sponsored the event, those that made the auction items possible and also those who purchased them!  Once more, special thanks to Howard Cohen and the members of the Seattle Hotel Association.  Also, thanks to the Seattle Police Foundation President and CEO Renee’ Hopkins and the Seattle Police Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors Sam Baker.  Thank you for making our officers safer and our communities stronger. 

John Diaz, Chief of Police

Seattle, Washington — February 6, 2012 — This past Saturday, the Seattle Hotel Association hosted the 15th annual Evening of Hope Gala at the Olympic Fairmont Hotel. This year all net proceeds benefit the Seattle Police Foundation. Saturday’s honorees, Gil Kerlikowske and his wife Anna Laszlo, were recognized for all their hard work towards improving public safety. Gil is currently the Drug Czar for the Obama Administration and the former Seattle Police Chief (2001-2009). His wife Anna is a national leader in criminal justice research and programming. Both have had an amazing impact on the Seattle community, and it was under Gil’s leadership that the Seattle Police Foundation began.

The Seattle Police Foundation (SPF) was founded to assist the police department reach its mission of fighting crime, reducing fear and building strong communities. SPF specifically helps SPD enhance relationships with the community they serve, improve officer and employee development, and provide the latest in equipment and technology that would not be normally funded in the city’s budget to ensure their safety and enhance the service they provide our community every day. Proceeds from the Evening of Hope will go to fund projects in these areas. “This money will help us continue to make Seattle safer. The work we do changes and saves lives,” said Renée Hopkins, President of the Seattle Police Foundation. The event raised more than $400,000 with proceeds going to the SPF.

The partnership between the Seattle Hotel Association, the Seattle Police Foundation and the events sponsors, demonstrates the commitment we all have towards building a safe and vibrant Seattle to allow businesses and families to thrive. Again, the Seattle Police Foundation would like to thank the Seattle Hotel Association and the event sponsors for their support and ensuring the events success.

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 For more information, press only:

Abel Pacheco, (206) 733- 9372, abel.pacheco@seattle.gov

For more information on the Seattle Police Foundation and the Seattle Hotel Association:

http://www.seattlepolicefoundation.org

http://www.seattlehotelassociation.org/eoh.html

On 1/30/12, at approximately 8:48 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a bank in the 4000 block of E. Madison St to investigate property damage. According to the complainant/Bank Manager; sometime overnight persons unknown sprayed painted the words ”NO BANK” “NO COPS” “OCCUPY” “OAKLAND” on the exterior doors of the bank. The suspect(s) also smashed an exterior window next to the graffiti.  No suspect information.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 911. Anonymous tips are welcome.

The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the right calf. The injury was non-life threatening. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.  The 25-yr-old victim was very intoxicated and provided very little information regarding the suspect’s information.

The suspect was described as a black male, 20′s, thin build, wearing a black jacket and jeans. Suspect vehicle described as a brown or red colored 4-door sedan.

Join us on January 31st for Tweetalong Tuesday.  Follow East Precinct patrol officer Heather Conway as she goes about a typical day patrolling the Central District, Madrona and Leschi areas.

Police responses will be summarized in easily digestible bites of 140 characters or less.  Pictures will be included as appropriate.  Learn more about Officer Conway and follow her shift Tuesday from 11:30 am- 8:30 pm by following @SeattlePD on Twitter.

The City’s Emergency Operations Center continues to operate, monitoring weather conditions and coordinating the City’s response to the winter storm event. The Joint Information Center activated at 5:30 a.m.

The morning commute remains challenging, with slush and ice still coating many residential streets and sidewalks in the early hours. Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews worked overnight, plowing and applying salt. Arterials are mostly bare and wet with some slush.

With the thaw on the way, the City is asking residents and businesses to locate nearby storm drains in the street and  — if it’s safe  —  to clear them of snow and debris. It’s the single most important thing people can do to protect their property and prevent water from pooling and creating traffic hazards.

In Seattle, there are about 80,000 storm drains — far more than City crews can clear quickly.

If an inlet or street drain appears to be blocked by snow or debris, try to safely clear a channel to provide a path for the runoff. If the drain cannot be cleared, or if the cause of the blockage or flooding is uncertain, call Seattle Public Utilities at (206) 386-1800.

Businesses and residents are reminded to keep their sidewalks clear. Pedestrians should exercise caution – many sidewalks are icy, and there is danger of falling ice from trees, buildings and power lines.

Seattle City Light has restored power to more than 6500 residents. Less than 100 customers remain without power this morning. For more details, visit http://www.seattle.gov/light.

There will be no residential garbage pickups today, and limited commercial and apartment services.

If your garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste was not picked up this week, please put them out on your next regularly scheduled pickup day. Missed customers will be allowed to set out double their normal amount of garbage, recycling and yard waste at no additional charge. Learn more at: http://seattle.gov/util/

SDOT’s Winter Weather page is available at  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/winterweather.htm and includes maps of the City’s snow routes and real-time information on road conditions.

For information on public transportation options, please visit King County Metro (http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/snow) and Sound Transit (http://www.soundtransit.org/Schedules/Alerts/Winter-Weather.xml). Riders are encouraged to check bus status online as conditions may change rapidly.

For more information about weather safety tips, and to find out about city facility closures, please go to www.seattle.gov.

Officers arrived and found a man (in his 40’s) down on the sidewalk with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Officers attempted to resuscitate the victim but their efforts were not successful. Seattle Fire responded and pronounced the victim dead.

Homicide Detectives responded and processed the scene. Officers and detectives canvassed the area for possible witnesses and or suspect(s). There is no suspect information available at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may know the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call 911 or the Seattle Police Homicide Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.  Anonymous tips are welcome.

This is an open and active case.

East Precinct officers were dispatched and quickly learned that one electronic device that had been stolen had GPS tracking software. After one of the children loaded the necessary tracking “App” on a laptop that had not been stolen, the investigating officer learned the item was located in downtown Seattle.

West Precinct officers were dispatched into the area of 1^st and Pike to 3^rd and Pine. With the additional information from the crime scene that a large brown rolling duffle bag had also been stolen, one of the officers entered a fast food restaurant at 3^rd and Pine. The officer saw a white male seated at a table with a brown duffle bag at his feet. The man immediately stood up, took possession of the rolling duffle bag and left the restaurant. Officers stopped him in the Metro bus tunnel near 4^th Ave and Pine St.

After the man’s expected denials, the victim called his stolen cell phone, which could be heard ringing from the man’s pocket.  The victim was then transported to the scene where he identified numerous items of his family’s property. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

An East Precinct Evidence Technician responded to the victim’s home and processed the scene.

The 21-year-old suspect was transported to the East Precinct for processing and booking into the King County Jail for Investigation of Possession of Stolen Property.