*Patrol Officer Contact Number: 206.979.8171*

Plan

The Laurelhurst Security Patrol, a Neighborhood Watch Program, is an overhaul of LCC’s current security patrol program with the goal to add marked patrol vehicles, more consistent presence, and a mix of retired and off-duty SPD officers trained and equipped to deter, spot and respond to criminal activity. This program’s goal, dependent on funding participation, is to provide near full day/night coverage for our entire neighborhood. The patrol’s objective is to react quickly to crimes witnessed or in progress, and to ultimately deter criminals from targeting our area. The security patrol will escalate issues directly to the SPD as needed.

Background

Crime in our neighborhood has increased significantly, making safety a top priority. The LCC and Security Sub-Committee have been working on a plan to augment the Seattle Police Department (SPD) in crime prevention and response. This program is intended to lessen the gap in the current abilities of the SPD until they can increase their personnel to provide the service our neighborhood needs. 

Cost

This more robust security service comes with an increase in cost to our neighborhood. We have roughly 1700 households in the Laurelhurst neighborhood (please see coverage map below). For this program to be successful in restoring safety and security to our community, we need everyone to consider participating. The commitment is annual, with quarterly reports shared on activity and impacts of our efforts. The annual cost per house is $650, which equates to just under 1,000 homes participating. The coverage period is February 2025 – February 2026. There is an opportunity for individuals to contribute more than $650 to ensure we achieve the total amount for neighborhood coverage. The level of funding received will directly determine the amount and type of security that can be provided, so the more participation the better.

As an additional benefit, neighbors who subscribe to this program will have direct access to the security patrol team to respond to house alarms (as SPD will no longer respond without verifiable evidence of a crime) and to perform vacation checks while away.

Please feel free to spread the word to your neighbors. We hope that we can all come together and restore the feeling of safety to our daily lives.

Please sign up and submit payment here.

You can contact securitypatrolquestions@laurelhurstcc.com with any questions or concerns or reference the FAQ below.

Security Patrol Service FAQs 

What is the goal of the Security Service? We aim to reduce criminal activity in our neighborhood by adding enhanced coverage from a private security firm, Seattle’s Finest, with highly trained personnel. The ultimate goal is to deter criminals from targeting our neighborhood for the safety and security of our community. 

Does this cover all of Laurelhurst? Yes, this is for the entire neighborhood.  Patrolling will be balanced throughout the community. Coverage for 1700+ residents.  Bounded on the northeast by Ivanhoe Place N.E, on the northwest by Sand Point Way N.E. and N.E. 45th Street, on the west by Mary Gates Memorial Drive N.E.

We are not in the Beach Club Boundaries can I still be a part of the Security Patrol? Absolutely, the boundaries of the beach club and the boundaries that the LCC serves are different.

What are the services provided to “paying” subscribers?  Seattle’s Finest officers will be on regular patrols through the neighborhood covering two full-time shifts (daytime and evening).  Below is a summary of what Seattle’s Finest services include (but are not limited to):

• Deterrent to suspicious and/or dangerous activity
• Direct relationship and coordination with Seattle Police Department for better response to criminal activity
• Personal alarm response when notified
• Vacation checks 
• Daily incident recording/reporting to LCC security committee
• Access to officer’s cell numbers (for both day and night shifts) 
• Dedicated email for incident reporting, scheduling vacation checks, etc.
• Officers utilize a marked car and will carry a firearm

What is the training and capability of the officers? Armed Off-Duty/Retired Police Officers in separate, marked security patrol vehicles to conduct security patrols in Laurelhurst. Officers have over 1,000 training hours and de-escalation training.

What is the difference between this security program and the LCC one from previous years?  The new program will provide 7X or more in terms of coverage hours and the vehicles will be marked and branded as security vehicles with light bars.  

What is the cost/length/term of this coverage? $650 a year, per individual home, paid upfront to cover the service period of February 2025 to February 2026.

What is required to fund this service? It will cost $635,000 to fund the full-time day and night shifts with Seattle’s Finest for the first contract year, with opportunity to renew or adjust in years 2 and 3. This means a minimum of nearly 1,000 households (individual homes) must subscribe and pay the annual $650 (which amounts to just above $50/month). If the community subscriptions and funds fall short of the targeted goal, the patrol will have reduced hours, and/or contract with an alternative reputable provider using unarmed security officers.  If the fundraising goal is too low to provide any service, then a refund will be issued upon request.

How to pay by check? Please make checks payable to LCC in the amount of $650. You can add additional funds to help cover ensure we achieve the total amount for neighborhood coverage. The level of funding received will directly determine the amount and type of security that can be provided.
Mail to:
Laurelhurst Community Club
Attn: Security Patrol
4616 25th Ave NE PMB 373, Seattle, WA  98105

What happens if more than $635K is collected? Any excess funds will be utilized to add additional coverage and will be evaluated based on highest needs and feedback. This would be an amazing problem / opportunity to have. More coverage would be even better for all. 

Can I pay in installments? Unfortunately, not currently. As we continue to learn and evolve this program we will look into this possibility.

When will this program launch? We aim to begin the service on or before February 15th.  This date is set to enable enough time for neighbors to subscribe. If we reach our minimum subscriber number sooner, the service will begin before that date. 

How do residents sign up for the Security Service?  All residents sign up by visiting our LCC website at https://laurelhurstcc.com/security/

How can I help make sure we get this security service in place? First, subscribe. Encourage your neighbors to subscribe. You also have the option to contribute above and beyond the $650 to help cover neighbors who may not be able to pay at this time. It takes a village!

Is this service meant to replace SPD coverage?  No, this service is being selected to augment the limited amount of police coverage being currently available in Seattle via the SPD.  Seattle’s Finest is our preferred Partner due to their ability to work closely with the SPD in the case of active criminal activities and their follow-on SPD investigation in addition to their level of training and capability.

Are these officers armed?   Yes. Each officer has extensive firearm training and de-escalation training. Most officers are current or former law enforcement.  

What can we ask the officers to do?

• Check on suspicious persons, activities, noises, etc.
• Schedule vacation checks
• Alert for an active home alarm
• Check on unauthorized vehicles

What should we NOT ask the officers to do?

• Bring in packages (unless on vacation check program)
• Household favors such as garbage bins or letting someone into your home

How to contact the patrol officer? Please use the dedicated phone number for the patrol officer: 206.979.8171

Please text to report criminal activity using this format:
Time
Address or cross-street
Specific incident or suspicious activity 

Please do not use WhatsApp to communicate to the patrol officer but use direct text. 

Process to schedule a vacation check: Only subscribers to the security patrol can request a vacation check by emailing: Securitypatrol@laurelhurstcc.com
Provide date departing and date returning
Provide details of any house guests or service providers anticipated to be coming to the property
Provide details of where to place packages while you are away
Provide preference for “drive-by perimeter check” or “on foot perimeter check”

How do I request an alarm check? If you are a subscriber and you get an alarm notice, please communicate with your alarm company directly. You can then text or call the on-duty patrol officer at: 206.979.8171

Should we interact with the officers? Yes. They are our partners in preventing crime and increasing safety.  The more gracious and interactive we are with the officers, the more it will promote neighborhood cohesion and awareness.

Can someone be denied access to the officers?  We cannot deny a resident access to reach out to the officers but would ask that residents use discretion and patience so as not to inundate the officers with unnecessary tasks, lengthy dialogue, or other personal matters that do not pertain to the safety of our neighbors.