On Thursday night, Seattle police spread out across the Westwood neighborhood in West Seattle, combing backyards, trails and school grounds as they hunted for a person wanted on domestic-violence-related warrants. Neighbors reported a heavy patrol presence, and at least one photographer shared images of officers on foot. The search briefly upended evening routines and had residents asking what, exactly, was going on outside their front doors.
Police were 'on the trail,' local blog reports
According to West Seattle Blog, dispatchers described officers as being on the trail of a suspect wanted on domestic-violence-related warrants. Initial police-radio traffic put the search area roughly between 22nd and 29th Avenues SW and from SW Kenyon to SW Barton. The blog shared a photo from the scene and based its account on what could be heard over the airwaves.
Neighbors saw yard-to-yard searches
As the West Seattle Blog put it, "the search has ranged through backyards, around schools." Residents reported seeing officers move from yard to yard and along nearby trails, and some said they heard loudspeaker announcements and spotted K-9 teams working the area.
Recent police focus in Westwood
The neighborhood has already been drawing extra attention from law enforcement in recent weeks. Seattle Police documented an organized retail-theft operation at Westwood Village earlier in June that led to multiple arrests, and local coverage highlighted the department's continued focus on the shopping center and surrounding streets. (SPD Blotter, sting nabs 11.)
What to do if you saw something
Anyone who observed activity connected to Thursday's search is asked to call 911 for emergencies or contact Seattle Police through their non-emergency or tip channels with information. This story will be updated if Seattle Police release an official statement or additional details.
