“Going in there it was just like a scene from hell.”
Last month, the Ocean Shores Police Department issued a press release, announcing that 10 boys and girls between the ages of 15 to 17 and an 18-year-old were “involved” in breaking into three homes, stealing alcohol and food and “partying” at one of the residences.
That hardly tells the whole story, according to a victim who was interviewed by this blog.
“Those kids totally trashed the place,” he said. “They slept in all the beds – there were condoms everywhere.”
The owner of a Razor Clam Drive home who asked that his name not be used said the walls inside his home were covered with graffiti.
“It took us two days to clean up,” he said. “Luckily, they didn’t do major damage. But there was wine splashed all over the walls.”
The man, a part-time resident of Ocean Shores, said he was disgusted by the November break-in – as well as the response by Ocean Shores police.
“The incompetence was so pathetic it makes you sick..
“We went back to the house a week later and saw all the lights on. And then my wife and I went in and saw the results of break in . . . so we called the police.
“They said, ‘We know all about that, we’ll be right over’
“They said, ‘Oh yeah, this happened a few days ago.’ I said, ‘Why didn’t you call me?’ The response, as nice as the cops were, they were sort of resigned to the fact that they have to live with break-ins.
“No wonder we have all these break-ins — it’s a free for all.”
The man said he called North Beach High School to complain, as most of those accused of the break-ins are students there. “They told me, ‘Once they’re off school property, they’re not our responsibility.’ It makes you sick.”
The victim of the break-in said he wanted the police, city government and school to do some kind of “round table” to discuss the problem. “But nobody wants to do anything,” he said.
“This could be a hellhole of Washington state. There must be 1,000 homes that are unoccupied. Are they not doing anything to protect them and stop this problem?
“I can’t rationalize this thing,” he said. “I don’t understand it.”
The Ocean Shores Police Deparment has not responded to a request to comment on this case. The following email was sent to Mike Styner, the chief of police, and his deputy chief, Russ Fitts:
Dep Chief Fitts and Chief Styner: A part-time resident who was one of the victims of the break-ins by high school “kids” has expressed a few complaints:
-Was not informed of the break-in by the OSPD
-Was told by police that break-ins “happen all the time” and “it’s not a big deal”
-His idea for a “round table” on the issue of residential break-ins was “laughed off” by police
-He was not informed of the Crime Watch program
Are his complaints valid? If so, what is being done to address them? If not, what (if anything) is inaccurate about his statements?
As of this writing, there has been no response.
Home of...The Immaculate Jagoffs of Pittsburgh 
Glad that you haven’t abandoned us Tom. Chey
If you want to protect your property, buy an alarm system. You don’t need a monitoring service. Get one that calls you or the neighbors. They make them with both ground line or cell phone communications. Get video system to record what is happening. If you have broadband it can be used to notify you and you can see what is happening. They are relatively cheap from Costco and other vendors. Don’t expect police to protect your property. Even with 100 police officers you still are at risk. Don’t expect the school to teach the children right from wrong. They are teachers and not baby sitters. Crime Watch reports open doors or windows. They are also an after the fact response. Sue the parents of the children who got caught for the damages. Then they may take more interest in where they are and what they are doing.
You have hit it right on, excellent advice.
This whole thing just makes me feel sick. We had been thinking about moving lately and this (along with the story about how wonderful Seabrook is on the front page of the latest North Coast News) really cinches it. We’ll be talking to a real estate agent tomorrow.
It just amazes me how two cities that are so close to each geographically, could be so vastly different in every other way.
You might want to check last weeks Daily World legal notices. Foreclosures there too. I am waiting for the first fire there. Those little streets with cars parked on them reminds me of Oakland right before the fires. It also reminds me of beach towns where emergency vehicles can’t get to you because of people who can’t park their cars properly. Don’t forget to ask your neighbor if he has seen your wife. The places are so close that you could pass a cup of sugar from one window to the next. How many people will hike down the hill to the beach when they realize they have to hike up the hill? Kids are great, but weekends there must be quite noisy. I guess you could pay about 2 million to get some privacy.
Perfect answer.
This is just another sign of the times and the liberal views that the majority of people in this state espouse! Y’all should be thankful, at least they were practicing safe sex!
Tom,
You don’t really expect that Chief or Deputy Chief or for that matter, any city official or politician will be responding to any questions that you submit to them from this time forward. Your old newspaper and its owner have religated you to the dust bin of history today with one line that you are the former NCN editor and have moved to Arizona! PERIOD!!! Not that I or anyone I know whose opinion I value feel anything but loss and the fact that your replacement has made it quite clear(in todays issue) he intends to run things including the next Web site differently (and no Blog). He says quote” In the coming weeks, we will be working on an entire new online site for the NCN that I hope will be far more useful and engaging than the previous blog format” Your ole buddy, Bill Crawford, just had nothing but buttery praise for their new boy Bruscas. “Comitted to comprhensive journalism that will be vital to the area businesses and readers. So he opens with a front page glorification of Seabrook!!! Fluff and milk toast along with partisan reporting.
Looks like I’ll be saving $25.00 a year and can put that money toward 3 months payment of my new Ambulance utility bill and a little change left over for the 4th month.
You should NOT be so amazed that two cities can be so close and yet so different in every other way? Really??? It all comes down to MONEY MONEY MONEY!!! Seabrook does not have people on low fixed incomes, Section 8 status, minimum wage earners, etc. Its a stepford wives rich town for the retired Renton Elite! Casey Roloff provides the amenities – for a price$$$. And they don’t have Ambulance Utilities and Convention Center/Firestation Balloon depts, and multiple lawsuits/litigation issues. Its a little piece of heaven at the beach – for those who are wealthy. Retirees there use thier SSN checks for gas/fun money!
Just keepin it real folks.
The SS checks pay the homeowners association fees. Those common areas are not free. The people buying those places don’t know how to leave the city. Oh boy! you can spend hundreds of thousands and still live like rats.