Private Police Post-SHTF

Fed up with crime, Seattle residents hiring off-duty officers

By Cayle Thompson Published: Jan 1, 2015 at 4:18 PM PST Last Updated: Jan 2, 2015 at 9:23 AM PST

SEATTLE — Residents in North Seattle’s Whittier Heights neighborhood say they are tired of crime. So beginning with the new year, they are hiring additional help.
“The plan is to have more patrols,” said resident Brad Renton.
Renton is the director of the newly formed Whittier Heights Patrol Association, a state chartered non-profit he started in November after witnessing several crimes in his neighborhood.
“One of them was a strong armed robbery at the pet store,” Renton said. “It happened about eight feet from me.”
Renton says there are hotspots in the neighborhood, including nearby Baker Park, where has graffiti and signs warning against drug use.
As of January 1st, already vigilant neighbors will have reinforcement from off-duty Seattle Police officers, hired for after-hours work through Seattle Securities, Inc. Officers will wear their uniform, but patrol in unmarked cars.
Neighbors act as “subscribers,” paying a yearly $250 fee. One “subscription” covers one night of patrol. Renton says his goal is to have more than 300 subscribers. As of January 1st, neighbors have nearly a month covered.
Renton says patrols won’t happen every night. Instead, off-duty officers will target nights in which crimes are statistically more likely to happen.
“You’ll see them,” Renton assures. “They’ll be here. Their presence will be noted.”
SPD already patrols Whittier Heights and surrounding areas. In October, police busted a major North Seattle crime ring believed to be responsible for hundreds of burglaries, stolen mail, and identity theft.
But it followed a leaked memo from police, admitting their North Precinct is short staffed.
Seattle police say they have heard the concerns, and are working to address response times to property crime in areas like Whittier Heights, including hiring more officers.
Until then, Renton and his neighbors see the private patrols as an opportunity to step up and tell criminals to get out.
“We felt this was something we could do to keep our neighborhood intact and improve the quality of life,” Renton said. “This is a good place.”

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Fed-up-with-crime-Seattle-residents-hiring-off-duty-officers-287301091.html