Community Post

Community Police and Ganstaz?

Maybe someone can answer this for me… why is it that the East Precinct is the only one (at least according to the SPD website) NOT to have a Community Police Team? I’m new to this forum, so this may be a subject with some history here, but couldn’t find anything so far.

I’m curious because its seems like if there’s anyplace in Seattle with a genuine need for a positive relationship with police officers, the CD is surely that place. Does anyone know if there have been CPT officers in the past, and if so, what happened to them?

Last month I visited the vigil for Allen Joplin that was held in Flo Ware Park. During the brief time i was there four police cars drove by or parked across the street. The young people I spoke with talked about feeling harassed, wanting to grieve in peace. When I asked them if they knew any officers by name, or had a relationship with anyone at the police department, they said they didn’t.

I know there are different sides to this complicated situation, and generations of history to it as well. It just seemed like having a Community Team really makes sense for CD residents, business people, schools AND the police. There may be some very valid reason for the East Precinct NOT having a CPT, but I couldn’t find it. Here’s the description of Community Police Teams from the SPD website:

“WHAT DO CPT OFFICERS DO?

While patrol officers assigned to a certain beat and sector are usually very familiar with the area they patrol, CPT Officers go one step further. CPT officers do not respond to 911 calls for service and are instead assigned a specific area to focus on long-term, often chronic problems. They patrol many times a day, checking and re-checking known “hot spots”.

It is their job to know the residents in troubled apartments, to recognize by sight, the “regulars” who congregate on the corner, and to understand the ongoing problems and concerns of neighbors and businesses. Residents and business owners get to know and trust the officers, making it easier to work together to resolve and prevent problems. CPT is about understanding ongoing issues that go back weeks and months and taking steps to prevent problems before they arise. The officers are a unique and invaluable resource in the communities they serve.”

If anyone has any more information about this please let me/ us know. My concern is as a long time resident of the CD, parent of a Garfield alum and current student at Seattle Girls School, but most importantly as a friend/ concerned adult of young people involved with Deuce8. These kids need and deserve more than they’re getting, my opinion anyway. Could a CPT be one element of that?

Lori Holloway

0 thoughts on “Community Police and Ganstaz?

  1. CPT exists at E Pct., and they’re quite active. Regarding the Duece8 vigil at 28th and Jackson, it is unfortunate that the youngsters felt embarassed. The thing is, if it is known that a group of gangbangers are going to be in a specific area, the police are going to cruise by…if the police know they’re there, so do rival gangmembers, which makes that scene a great target for a driveby. All it takes is one knucklehead southender to come by and say something derogatory for a “vigil” to turn into a firefight.

    E Precinct officers have a very good handle on who the troublemakers are in the CD, many are generational legacies and known to even the newest beat officers as well as the CPT.

    Call the E Precinct and ask for Sgt. Shinn in CPT, he’ll let you know who’s assigned to your area. Get involved and start going to your neighborhood blockwatch and community meetings, you’ll be face to face with CPT.

  2. We do have Community Police Team officers in the Central District. They include Officer Tim Greeley and Officer Tyrone Davis, and I have heard that we will soon also have Officer Sina Ebinger. With the upcoming opening of the SPD Drop-in Center at 23rd and East Union I suspect they may become even more visible than they’ve been. Just as an example, Officer Davis was present at 23rd and Union at the vigil for the cheesesteak restaurant owner who was shot to death on January 30, and Officer Greeley was present at the community meeting at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church that took place a few days later.

    I did not find the names of the East Precinct CPT officers on the SPD web site either, perhaps because of not wanting to be out of date when there are changes, but the web page “About the East Precinct” () lists the East Precinct Community Policing Team at (206) 684-4370.

    I’m surprised the kids you encountered do not know Lt. John Hayes, who has a lot of contact with youth in the area, or the many officers who do volunteer work with young people.

    Hope this info helps.

  3. for the information. Meanwhile I did get in touch with Sgt. Shin at SPD, and it sounds like Officer Ebinger is the CPT person for 28th and Jackson. I’ve seen them work in other areas and schools and know they do some amazing work, looking forward to getting to know Ms. Ebinger. I know this is a complicated and longstanding situation, she’s got her work cut out for her for sure…

    At any rate, it’s good to have a consistent person in the neighborhood to refer kids to when needed. Thanks again for getting me up to date!