The Kent Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a suspect in a sexual assault that occurred early Sunday afternoon on Kent’s West Hill. A press release distributed by the police department this morning states that the assault occurred at Dollar Tree on Pacific Highway (23406 Pacific Highway South) where a man allegedly exposed himself and was touching his genitals in front of a six-year-old girl. The store surveillance cameras released this image.

Description:  White adult male, between 18 and 25, dark hair, 5′ 7″ tall, medium build.

Kent Detective Melanie Frazier said, “We want to ensure the public is aware of this incident, and that this case is a top priority for our investigators. Perpetrators like this do not belong in our community.”

Anyone with information about the suspect should call 9-1-1 or the Kent Police Department tip line at 253-856-5808.

After a winter hiatus, Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas reports that the city’s bike patrols will be back on the streets May 1. There will be four officers and a supervisor, scheduled to be on the street seven days a week. Focuses will be on the downtown transit center, shopping areas and parks including Town Square Plaza, Kaibara Park and the gazebo. The bike unit will also be available to deploy to other areas of Kent, as needed.

Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke said in an April 15 press release, “I’m very happy our police are again providing this valuable service to residents, businesses and visitors. It’s just in time for the better weather and increased use of outdoor spaces.”

[Photo by Dana E. Neuts for iLoveKent.net]

Assistant Chief Pat Lowery of the Kent Police Department reports that two baristas from Twin Peaks Espresso (24013 104th Ave. SE, Kent) were arrested Wednesday. The first, a 23 year old woman from Mountlake Terrace, was arrested for prostitution. The second was a 19 year old Lynnwood woman who was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with violation of Kent’s adult entertainment ordinance. Both women were booked at the Kent Corrections Center.

According to the press release, Kent PD’s Special Investigation Unit began investigating the espresso stand in October after reports that female employees were exposing themselves and committing lewd acts for customers are the drive-through window. The women were paid in tips that ranged from $10 to $25. Using site surveillance and drive through contacts, the SIU identified a number of baristas who were participating in the illegal behavior. Detectives also reviewed the business practices of other “bikini barista” stands throughout Kent to ensure their compliance with local ordinances.

Assistant Chief Lowery said, “These arrests do not signal the end of this investigation.”

Additional employees are likely to be charged. If you have information that could assist the police, or if you have any questions, contact Assistant Chief Lowery at 253-856-5833.

Kent, WASH., Feb. 19, 2013–Detectives at the Kent Police Department are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in the Feb. 12 robbery of the Panther Lake branch of Key Bank. In a press release from the police department, the suspect is described as as unkempt, white or light-skinned black male, mid 30s, 6′ to 6’3″ with a medium build. It is possible he has tattoos on his hands or knuckles and near his eyes. No weapon was shown during the robbery, and the man fled on foot.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the Kent Police Tip Line at 253-856-5808.

[Note:  The information provided by the police department was dated Feb. 14, but just received today, Feb. 19 at 10:22 am.]

Folks at the City of Kent and local volunteers are busy planning another fun You We Me, an interactive evening of free family fun. This year’s event will be held at ShoWare Center on Fri., Mar. 1 and will feature a variety of activities for kids of all ages. In addition to collecting food for the Kent Food Bank, event highlights include:

• 44 interactive vendor booths
• Bike raffle from Redline Bikes
• Radio Disney
• Sports competitions
• Face painting, hands on activities, games
• Bounce houses
• Rainier Youth Choirs
• Neely O’Brien DRUM and Red Hawk Singers
• Electronettes Drill Team and Drum Squad
• Cameron Sterling
• Kitana Turnball
• Allegro Performing Arts Academy
• Kent Elementary STOMP and Dance Team
• New Beginning Alofa Tunoa Youth Dance Group
• Kent Meridian Bridging the Seas Bollywood Group
• Kent Knights Jr. Cheer Team
• Kent Meridian Pacific Island Club
• $1 hot dogs and soda

Kent Food Bank will be on hand to accept donations of nonperishable food items. The event is organized by a cross-section of community groups, the Kent School District, Kent Parks, local youth groups, sports teams, scouts, churches, local businesses and service clubs. Come join the fun!

The following crime prevention tips were provided by the Kent Police Department.

Exterior

• Adequately light all exterior sides of your business, including alley ways and parking lots, using vandal-resistant fixtures. As most store burglaries occur at night when it’s dark, lighting serves as one of the most important deterrents.
• Install an alarm system and check it regularly for failure. Contact Kent PD for assistance in selecting an alarm system. Post notice you have an active system in place.
• Reinforce doors with long screws or bolts on heavy-duty strike plates, pop-out-proof hinges, or hole/nail combo at top and bottom. Replace all hollow-core exterior doors.
• Install deadbolt locks on all outside doors and double cylinder deadbolts on doors with glass panels. Check the locks are properly installed and used at ALL times.
• Issue as few keys as possible and change the locks if keys are lost or not returned by a former employee. Don’t tag keys with the name of your business.
• Secure all roof openings, air ducts, skylights, air conditioning units, hatchways, doorway transoms, sidewalk and basement openings.
• Don’t provide concealment or climbing platforms for the burglar. Clear and maintain all debris, weeds, and shrubbery away from windows and doors. Lock up ladders and all tools that could make a burglar’s job easier.
• Protect windows and glass doors with transparent window security film, security glazing, or roll-down security panels; or install burglar resistant glass. Use bars or grating on rear and side windows.  Consult with your fire department on fire safety ordinances for doors and windows.  

Interior

• Keep a minimum of cash on the premises. Post signs that say “No cash kept on premise”.
• Consider installing a video camera system. If you already have one, ensure it is working properly, always recording, and provides clear images of what is filmed. Post notice you have an active system in place.
• Move valuable merchandise and business equipment such as computers away from the windows or doors to prevent smash and grab thefts.
• Make it difficult to steal merchandise…bolt racks down, alternate the direction of hangers on the rack, tie appliance cords together, chain bicycles, lock small valuables in cabinets and show cases.
• Arrange window displays so that passersby and police can see into the store.
• Anchor your safe to the floor in a well-lit, highly visible location. Keep all valuable documents and items, including company vehicle keys in safe.
• Always leave on an interior light that is visible from the street. If for any reason it is off, the darkened store will arouse suspicion.
• Don’t lock a burglar inside when you leave. Inspect all closets, bathrooms, and other hiding places before closing. For personal safety, try to have two people present at both opening and closing.

Kent Parks Department is encouraging members of the community to participate in cleaning up litter on the Interurban Trail on Martin Luther King Day, January 21 from 1-3 PM. Volunteers will meet at the Kent Lions Skate Park. Trash bags and a limited number of sticks will be provided. Please dress for the weather; poor weather may cancel the event. Pre-registration is requested by January 16, or you can call 253-856-5113 by January 18. Details can be found at http://www.kentwa.gov/ParkVolunteers/.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet Ginger Passarelli (known by many as “Mama”) for a story I was writing for The Seattle Times. Since then, I’ve written several stories about Ginger, her restaurant and The Soup Ladies. She stands out as a true community hero, someone who gives selflessly of her time and talent when people need it the most. She’s passed her generous spirit on to other volunteers who are collectively known as The Soup Ladies. These women tirelessly cook and serve hot meals to emergency crews, search & rescue workers, law enforcement, fire fighters and others who help in emergency situations.

Yesterday The Soup Ladies received the donation of a retired 4×4 all-terrain vehicle to help The Soup Ladies get to rescue workers wherever they are. In a November 13 press release, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn said, “The Soup Ladies are an invaluable volunteer group here in the Pacific Northwest. I am ecstatic to play a part in securing this vehicle that will help them continue to serve our community. A big thank you goes to the Sheriff’s Office and the County Executives as well who also played a part in making this handover possible.”

Next up for The Soup Ladies:  a trip to New York City to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Sandy.

Thank you, Ginger and your selfless Soup Ladies, for all you do!

Photo courtesy of King County Council

Voters in Washington state should have received their voter guides and ballots by now to be counted in the 2012 King County and Washington state election. Be sure to read up on the issues, vote and mail your ballot by Tues., Nov. 6.  As an alternative, you can drop your ballot in an official ballot drop box. The only drop box in Kent is located downtown at the Regional Justice Center at 401 N. 4th Ave., Kent. Have questions? Here are some links to help:

King County Election Central

King County Ballot Drop Boxes

King County General Election FAQs

Federal, State and Local Candidates

Washington State Elections & Voting

Kent Police Department reports that vehicle prowls are on the rise again. Last week, there were 41 prowls which is unusually high, according to the city. Often vehicles are targeted because of valuables left inside. Most vehicle prowls are, however, preventable. The city offers these vehicle prowl prevention tips and asks that readers share these tips with their friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, Block Watches and other members of the community.

• Secure your vehicle every time you park; lock car doors, roll up windows, use your alarm system and consider installing a CLUB on your steering wheel. Access to several vehicles was gained through unlocked doors.

• Remove all valuables EVERY TIME you park. Criminals are smashing windows to gain access:  stealing iPods, cell phones, chargers, CDs, GPS units, shopping bags and even change.

• Get to know your neighbors. Know which cars are familiar for your neighborhood.

• If you park on the street, try to park under street lights and nearby your house/business.

• If you hear a car alarm, please pay attention to it. Look out the window. Report all suspicious activity, people or vehicles, by calling 911. If you ask yourself, “should I call 911,” the answer is probably yes.

• If you are a victim of any crime, report it by calling 911 or filing an online police report. Visit www.kentWA.gov/police and click on the link for “File an Online Police Report.” Police want to hear about it!
  

For more crime prevention tips, visit www.kentpoliceceu.com

Green Kent needs you this Saturday for GREEN KENT DAY ’12! This Saturday Mayor Suzette Cook and hundreds of volunteers will gather at two locations for a tree planting extravaganza. Join volunteers at Morrill Meadows Park and the Green River Natural Resources Area to help plant trees. Work begins at 9 am and ends at noon. The event will include plenty of yummy food and end with a barbecue at Morrill Meadows Park. If you’re ready to volunteer, register online now!

Dear iLoveKent.net Readers and Fans,

When I started iLoveKent.net in 2009, I did it to showcase some of the great people, places and things in Kent, Washington. I wanted to show the rest of the world, or at least South King County, that Kent has a lot to offer — from basic shopping, dining and recreational options to deeper values like culture, diversity and creativity.

Over the years, my passion for Kent has grown, and I’ve tried to reflect that in the pages of iLoveKent.net and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. I’ve done this as a service to the community, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I will continue to provide this service because I believe in Kent, and my readers have shown that they believe in Kent too.

But my mission is evolving and I want your help. Kent needs us now, perhaps more than ever. Over the last several months, we’ve heard about fatal car crashes, missing teens, vandalized stores, closing businesses, shootings and other crimes. Financially, our city is in danger as well. Businesses are being asked to pay more to run the city, the city is cutting valuable services and programs, and job layoffs continue. With so much going on, particularly at election time, it may seem like we as individuals can’t make a difference…but we CAN and we need to! Our city needs us, our schools and businesses need us, and our neighbors need us.

Many of you are already active in the community. You volunteer at school or church, participate in local government, or serve as a mentor or board volunteer somewhere. Those contributions continue to be important, but I think we need to do even more — at the most basic level, we need to look out for each other. We need to report burned out streetlights, call 9-1-1 when we see suspicious vehicles and erratic drivers, and need to avoid unnecessary distractions when driving, biking or walking through town. We need to remember to be kind and compassionate, pay attention to our surroundings,  and clean up after ourselves when out in public. While these may seem like minor actions, each time we help someone else in a small way, it adds up to big change and a safer, more secure community.

In the weeks and months ahead, I’ll use iLoveKent.net to share ideas and resources with members of the community to show you ways you can help. I welcome your suggestions and comments as well. I don’t have all the answers; together we do! Let’s show Kent we care.

Caring for our community,

Dana Neuts, Publisher
iLoveKent.net

[Pictured above, right:  Kent Fire Department at Kent Cornucopia Days, 2012. Photo taken by Dana Neuts.]

Wonder what to do with that old appliance, unused tires or boxes of shredding? Bring it to the City of Kent’s residential recycling event on Sat., Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held at the Russell Road Park (24400 Russell Rd., Kent), Kent residents can bring their unused, outdated household items including:

• Appliances
• Tires
• Confidential shredding (up to 3 file boxes)
• Electronics (limited)
• Mattresses
• Styrofoam
• Car seats – seats less than 6 years old that meet safety standards will be put back into use.
  
• Concrete, rocks, asphalt and bricks
• Petroleum products

TVs, computers and laptops will not be accepted. For more information, click here for the city’s Fall Recycling Event flyer.

Kent Downtown Partnership is hosting a breakfast meeting for downtown Kent property owners to gather input on the city’s vision for downtown Kent. Guest speakers include architect William H. Kreager of Communita Design and Fred Satterstrom, community development director for the City of Kent. Find out what the city is looking to achieve in downtown Kent over the next 10 to 20 years.

Fri., Oct. 26, 2012
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Down Home Catering
211 First Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032

Breakfast Meeting Sponsored by Valley Bank and Hanis Irvine Prothero

RSVP to Barbara Smith at Kent Downtown Partnership at 253-813-6976.

Update, Oct. 3, 2012–Kent Assistant Police Chief Pat Lowery said this morning that Trajan McCallister was found last night by a Kent police officer around 9 p.m. on Kent-Kangley Rd. He was not injured, but he was later transported to a local medical facility to be evaluated. There are no criminal charges pending in the case, and the investigation has been closed.

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KENT, Wash., Oct. 2, 2012–Kent Police Department is asking for the community’s help tonight to locate a missing Kent teen. Trajan C. McCallister, 14, was last seen yesterday afternoon at Kent’s East Hill Skate Park, Arbor 360, at the corner of 116th and 240th Streets.

McCallister is a black male, 5’10″, 165 pounds with brown eyes and short brown hair. He has earrings in both ears and wears dental braces. He is confined to a white wheelchair with a black seat and was last seen wearing a red Jordan sweatshirt and black jeans. He requires medication, so his family is concerned that his health is at risk without that medication.

Kent Assistant Police Chief Pat Lowery said, “We are very concerned for Trajan’s health situation. His inability to access his medications may impair his physical condition quickly.”

If you see McCallister or know where he is, call 9-1-1 immediately.

WSDOT announces nightly ramp and lane closures on I-5 between Tukwila and Kent the first week of October. Here’s what to watch for:

I-5 Ramp and Lane Closures near St. Rd. 516 and S. 188th St., Oct. 1 – 5, beginning at 8 p.m. each evening.

Mon., Oct. 1 and Tues., Oct. 2, the three left lanes of I-5 will be closed, the first northbound lane closing at 8 p.m., the second at 10 p.m. and the third near midnight. On Wed., Oct. 3 and Thurs., Oct. 4, the two right lanes will close beginning at 8 p.m., the first at 8 p.m. and the second at 10 p.m. All lanes and ramps will be re-opened by 5 a.m.

Road crews will be installing traffic detection loops under the freeway lanes and rebuilding the shoulders alongside the ramps. For more info. on these closures and others in King County, visit WSDOT online. Call Kris Olson, WSDOT Communications, at 206-440-4475 with questions.

Earlier this month, the City of Kent announced that levee work near Three Friends Fishing Hole (20025 Russell Rd., Kent) will begin on Sept. 17. The park will be closed until the completion of the project which is estimated to be March 2013. The Green River Trail  and portable restrooms at the trailhead will be open, but the park and parking lot will be closed. For more information about the project or the park closure, contact Tobias Hallock at 253-856-5536.

UPDATE, Oct. 15, 2012–Preliminary results following last Friday’s fundraising breakfast show that a little over $23,000 was collected in corporate sponsorships, donations and raffle ticket sales. 

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KENT, Wash., Sept. 5., 2012–Kent Food Bank and Emergency Services is hosting its 12th annual benefit breakfast on Oct. 12 at Kent Covenant Church (12010 SE 240th St., Kent, WA). Join us for breakfast, serve as a sponsor or donate a raffle item — everything helps!

You can also donate online here. Questions? Email Jeniece Choate at the Kent Food Bank.

12th Annual Benefit Breakfast
October 12, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Kent Covenant Church
12010 SE 240th St.
Kent, WA

If you can’t make it but want to donate, send checks made payable to the Kent Food Bank to 515 W. Harrison St., Ste. 107, Kent, WA 98032.

Nonperishable food items can also be donated to the Kent Food Bank. Donation hours are Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Desired items:  canned meats, peanut butter, shelf stable milk, canned fruit, canned vegetables, soup, noodles, rice and bins.

So far this year (through the end of July), the Kent Food Bank has served:

12,922 families at the Alliance Center
802 families at the Birch Creek Annex location
3,954 families with weekly perishable visits