Since early in 2003 centraldistrict.net consulting services, in conjunction with the seattlewireless.net project, has provided free WiFi internet access to the Seattle Central District neighborhood. Unfortunately, the maintainer of the service, Matt Towers is moving and will be decommissioning the service some time in the latter part of this month. “I started this service because I feel that free, unfettered access to information is one of the best ways to galvanize a community. Central District News is an excellent example why it works. I hope another local resident will be able to continue offering the service.” said Towers.

Parties interested in starting a similar service are encouraged to contact the seattlewireless.net project for more information.

It’s certainly not a problem unique to the Central District and one to which we can all relate. What can you do about piles of garbage, junk cars, etc. in your neighbor’s yard or driveway? The City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development is the agency whose jurisdiction covers this type of code violation. As with abandoned vehicles on city property, the DPD will respond in a timely manner to complaints and concerns. The DPD website contains a list of common code violations as well as an online complaint form.

In October of this year a resident of Spring Street near MLK heard a disturbance on the front porch of his home. Upon investigation, he discovered and apparently intoxicated individual attempting to steal a mountain bike locked to the railing of the porch. When confronted by the victim, the assailant threatened with a large stick, swinging it repeatedly. The resident then retreated inside and called 911, reporting a robbery in progress at his home, whereupon he was told a squad car would be dispached.

Over an hour later when the police had still not arrived, the assailint long gone, with the bicycle, having broken the railing on the porch in the process, the victim called 911 again. When he inquired as to why the police had not arrived, he was informed by the dispatcher that his emergency was simply “not a priority” for the police. After an additional 45 minutes, a squad car arrived. The officer took a statment from the victim and left.

The bicycle has not been recovered and no further apparent action has been taken by the police.

The CD has long been a favorite dumping ground for abandoned, junk and sometimes stolen vehicles. If you’ve lived in the neighborhood even briefly, you’ve probably encountered a few. City ordinance states that no vehicle may be parked on a public street or public property for more than 72 consecutive hours. And cars that have not moved in longer periods of time, especially this time of year, are easy to spot. Namely, they are covered and surrounded by leaves.

If you happen to have one of these eyesores near you, the city encourages reporting them. They’ve even set up a convenient web form to do so. You can also call and report abandoned vehicles at (206) 684-8763.

Although it may take several days, the city *will* ticket and tow reported vehicles, but only if they are reported. So if you have one in your neighborhood, don’t be shy about reporting it. You can even do it anonymously.