July 2021

By Patrick Robinson

When I was a very young boy, my family had a tradition. In a family of five boys, we all slept in what my Mom called The Angel Bed. We were taught to kneel at the side of the bed, hands together and say our prayers.  

It was just a simple mattress on springs, nothing fancy. But it was infused with her belief that each of us, in our own way were her angels. She expressed many wishes as we each grew older about us, for us and from us. Most of which went without fulfillment. We were rascally boys after all. But her belief. That continues in my life today. 

When you think about a wish, it’s often a standalone thought. You wish something would happen, or that someone would love you, or that your team would win the game, or you’d get that job. It’s a free floating desire. There’s nothing wrong with wishes. And on the odd occasion they come true. But they carry little power beyond the dimensions of your own mind.

By Jennifer Danner

Seattle Police Department 

Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

We are looking forward to celebrating a modified Night Out this year!!

If you are interested in participating, please register here (https://eventactions.com/eareg.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=gr64c72gfgz25mrje6ba82udndd2wfrzfzpezcrrguacnhhjfr52)

Update:

According to King County Fire District #2 the fire that destroyed businesses in White Center was not started by fireworks, despite heavy activity in the White Center area. It began in the basement of the Lumberyard Bar, though the exact cause has not yet been determined.

King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott came to see the damage done to the businesses in the afternoon. Constantine said, "Last night's fire in White Center is another hurdle for our small businesses - just as they set out on the path to recovery from COVID. We'll be doing everything we can to help with grants and assistance to bounce back yet again and support our local community."

If you would like to obtain some well considered financial advice, contact Sarah Cecil 206-938-6017.

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By Patrick Robinson

If you like and use guns you are not going to like this. That’s ok.

You have a right to your beliefs too. Which is sort of the point. 

Guns themselves, as proponents always assert are not the problem. They are just objects after all. It’s the way they are used, or misused, that is the problem. 

But you have to wonder what if they did not exist? 

Let’s do a thought experiment:

What would happen in a place that is wracked by gun violence like Chicago if we could 

1. Remove all guns 

or

2. Give everyone a gun

What do you think might happen?

Bear in mind.. I am not suggesting we ban all guns, or confiscate them or anything like that. Nor am I suggesting that we arm everyone. As always it’s about what makes sense. Where is the middle ground?

The City of Seattle passed a ban on fireworks inside City limits that is now the law. But that doesn't mean anything goes. In fact many of the fireworks commonly seen in unincorporated King County are in fact illegal. 

To clarify here's what the Seattle Police Department says about fireworks in Seattle.

"The possession, manufacture, storage, sale and use of fireworks (meaning everything but pop-it caps) is prohibited in Seattle, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. 

911 call centers are typically inundated on the 4th with reports of fireworks-related injuries and house fires.

Because of that influx of calls, please only use 911 to report life-threatening emergencies. We are also unable to respond to fireworks complaints (or any other crime reports, for that matter) sent via Twitter.

By Patrick Robinson

I have many memories of fireworks. You probably do too.

Since my birthday is in late June, it’s around that time that the local fireworks stands would go up (this is the last time for these by the way since new laws prevent the sale of fireworks).