Masked robbers ransack three U District homes
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SEATTLE -- The University District couldn't make it one day in the new year without a crime. Seattle Police say two masked men broke into and ransacked three homes early on New Year's Day.
On one side of 19th Avenue Northeast, the burglars ripped open mesh over a bathroom window and carefully took everything off the shelves and gingerly placed them on the ground.
"I think they wanted to slip through the window and not wake everybody up by knocking everything off the shelves," said the renter inside.
The burglars ransacked the house but, oddly, didn't take anything.
It was a different story across the street after the same men broke in and stole an iPod and two wallets. Shelby Kavanie said they left behind a butcher knife after being caught in the act and scared off by neighbors waking up after parties at roughly 7 a.m.
These latest crimes are just the latest in what has been a scary time in the University District. In October, just three blocks away, there were armed robberies in back-to-back weekends.
"The neighborhood has a deep, dark history," one robbery victim said.
Police are investigating the case.
On one side of 19th Avenue Northeast, the burglars ripped open mesh over a bathroom window and carefully took everything off the shelves and gingerly placed them on the ground.
"I think they wanted to slip through the window and not wake everybody up by knocking everything off the shelves," said the renter inside.
The burglars ransacked the house but, oddly, didn't take anything.
It was a different story across the street after the same men broke in and stole an iPod and two wallets. Shelby Kavanie said they left behind a butcher knife after being caught in the act and scared off by neighbors waking up after parties at roughly 7 a.m.
These latest crimes are just the latest in what has been a scary time in the University District. In October, just three blocks away, there were armed robberies in back-to-back weekends.
"The neighborhood has a deep, dark history," one robbery victim said.
Police are investigating the case.
Bizarrely written story. Â Seriously. Just worded so oddly, like a school newspaper: "The University District couldn't make it one day in the new year without a crime." Â And "it's a scary time" and weird quotes like "the neighborhood has a dark, deep, history" (what does that mean?)Â
 @DT Yeah, it is pretty weird.  But you gotta remember that, of all the local news agencies, Komo is the most sensationalistic. Â
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On the other hand, the U District is somewhat crime-ridden especially on "The Ave" or Ravenna side, but seems less so near the stadium or U Village side.  It makes sense since there's more pedestrians with the restaurants and bars on the Ave, so you hear about people getting mugged/jumped.  The tight packed houses might also make it easier for burglars break into?  I have no idea and could be wrong.
 @DT I was wondering that, as well.  Is it built over the gates of Hell?  Or maybe it was the scene of some heinous crime a hundred years ago?? Â
hopefully they will die soon.
These occupied burglaries remind me of the case of repeat burglar and street thief Maxfield Dare, who is now serving ten years in prison for similar crimes. Â I assume that anyone who breaks into a house is armed and dangerous and should be treated accordingly. Â As for Maxfield Dare, good riddance, and stay in prison.
Slighly more useful than Komo:
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http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2013/01/01/two-occupied-burglaries-in-north-seattle/
This is why I moved out of the U district and to Seward Park, I know that their is crime everywhere you go, but I've felt safer living in S. Seattle than I ever did living up in the north end.
"The neighborhood has a deep, dark history"
Sadly, this is very true. I believe I just saw that part of its deepest and darkest history just died without being missed a bit.
I lived in a basement 2-bedroom in the U district. A friend came over who manages apartments, and he said that having a window that is above 3 ft from the floor is against code - someone wouldn't be able to get out in a fire. This sort of thing is widespread.
We live in different times. Everyone should have an alarm and a gun handy. To me these are necessities similar to putting on a seat belt when I'm in a moving vehicle.
 @ObsidianOne I don't need a gun, I have a 125 lb rescue and my service dog, they do the job just fine.
 @yentaleh  @ObsidianOne I'm a big fan of dogs over guns. My gun isn't going to wake me up if someone is on my front porch...  and it never wakes up the armed homeowners who are surprised to wake up and find an intruder by their bed, with a gun pointed at them.  My dogs go ballistic when they hear someone open the gate. Police suggest dogs before guns, and I agree.  No one's teen has ever killed themselves with the family dog, and no estranged spouse has attacked his ex with a labrador.Â
 @DT  @yentaleh  @ObsidianOne Agree--"Sleep with me, Sleep with my pitbull"
Crummy property owners who rent to any breathing bodies, no questions asked,  draw crime into the neighborhood. look no further for the root cause. That and the consumption of drugs causing theft and bringing in real criminals and the never ending myth that there are lots of college parties, which there are not.Â
 @Citizen#3457899654 More to the point, slumlords (or perhaps student housing "dormlords") who do not make even the most minor security upgrades to their properties, thus inviting burglars with easy entry features like that depicted.
"The neighborhood has a deep, dark history," one robbery victim said.
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ooh, ominus sinister quote.
Somebody needs to see The Collector.
From the looks of that low window, it could be a good idea to beef up security. Â Putting up bars might not be pretty and make your home look "ghetto-ized"... but I'd rather have that than some dirtbag with a kitchen knife, that could very well kill you if you got too close, ransacking your place.
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The U-Dist has always had its fair share of these sorts of issues. Â It's no wonder folks don't want to live there unless they are attending the university.
Would like a formidable doggie to surprise these thieves by ripping their throats out when protecting their owner's home.Â
Wait til the next house has guns and rifles pointing at them.....!
 @scychan You do realize this area is in Seattle. They might have a water gun but a real one ,doubt it.