Selections from 2008:
Sat., May 24, 12:10 p.m., Second Ave. An officer working off-duty for Metro Transit was dispatched to the 2100 block of Second Ave. regarding a sleeper on the bus. He arrived and found suspect, a transient Black male aged 24, sleeping on the bus with his feet sticking out in the aisle. He awoke the man and removed him from the bus. A name check revealed an outstanding warrant, which was verified via radio. Suspect was arrested and booked into King County Jail.
Sat., July 19, 9:53 p.m., 12th Ave. S./S. Jackson St. Officer arrived along with Seattle Fire and began treatment of the victim, a transient Vietnamese male aged 41. Victim did not speak English. Dispatch advised officers they had spoken to the victim through the language line, and that the suspect stated he had been struck in the head with a bottle. Officers were unable to obtain any suspect information. Victim had a laceration on the top of his head, and was transported to Harborview by ambulance for treatment.
Sun., Sept. 7, 4:38 p.m., First Ave S. Officers responded to a call of an assault on First. They arrived to find victim, a transient white male aged 48, with a bloody nose and face. He said that a woman he knows had hit him in the face with a six-pack of beer in a bag. Officers contacted a nearby witness, who stated that he had seen victim and suspect arguing over a pack of cigarettes. When victim confronted suspect she swung the bag and struck him in the nose. Victim described the suspect as a "large Native American woman with a tattoo." Based on this description officers were able to locate the suspect at her camp under the Alaskan Way Viaduct. She was identified by witnesses as the person who assaulted the victim, and she was arrested and booked into king County Jail. Victim suffered swelling and bleeding to his nose and face, and was treated at the scene by Seattle Fire Department.
Mon., Oct. 13, 10:16 pm., Fifth Ave. S., Uwajimaya Grocery. Subject, a transient Native American male aged 40, called the Crisis Line to report he wanted to hurt himself by jumping off a bridge close to Beacon Hill. Officers were dispatched the payphone on Fifth Ave. S. where subject was calling from. Officers arrived to find him still at the payphone, and asked him if he wanted to hurt himself. He replied "I Do." Officer could smell the odor of intoxicants on his breath. Further conversation revealed that subject was depressed, and stated he didn't want to live anymore -- he was homeless and his family did not care for him. Officer called for an ambulance, and subject was transported to Harborview for mental evaluation.
Sat., Dec. 6, 11:18 p.m., First Ave. Officer was dispatched with Seattle Fire to the doorway of 2900 First Ave., where a person was seen lightning a newspaper box on fire. Officer arrived and contacted the suspect, a transient 56-year-old white male, as he was putting out a small fire in a paper box with a portable water container. Suspect was intoxicated and appeared to have mental issues. He had turned the box so that the opening faced him, placed papers inside and lit them on fire. Suspect stated the box looked like stove when it was opened and he was very cold. He did not appear to comprehend his actions and was adamant that the paper box was a stove to keep warm. The responding officer patted down the suspect and could feel how cold he was and felt was at risk if he stayed out in the elements for the evening. Suspect was transported to a drop-in center and it was determined that the fire was not arson but rather Reckless Burning by a mental, intoxicated suspect.