Copper Theft Plagues Seattle's Crown Hill Neighborhood

Copper thieves have struck again, causing significant damage in Seattle’s Crown Hill neighborhood. The theft resulted in the local park losing power, leaving it in darkness, often referred to as “lights out.”

A nearby resident, Clark Scheff, reported witnessing two suspicious individuals engaged in the act early last week, around two in the morning, near NW 85th Street. Scheff noticed the activity while monitoring his home traffic camera, which he checks periodically.

Witnessing the Theft in Progress

Scheff described seeing one of the suspects actively pulling out wires and coiling them around his arm, estimating at least 100 feet of material. When confronted, the thief reportedly confirmed they were stealing copper.

Scheff immediately contacted emergency services. He noted that another call regarding similar activity had already been logged. “I’m right here, they’re doing it right now,” Scheff told dispatchers while providing real-time updates.

Frustration with Emergency Response

The response from 911 dispatchers left Scheff feeling extremely frustrated. He stated that the primary concern seemed to be whether he was following the suspects.

“Only response I got was one of the dispatchers who was like, ‘Are you following him, are you following him?’ They seemed to be upset that I was maybe following – just giving them updates,” Scheff recounted. He emphasized the lack of action despite providing a “play-by-play” of the ongoing crime.

Aftermath and Lingering Concerns

Later in the week, Scheff observed that the nearby Baker Park was completely dark. He noticed that several utility boxes had been pried open and wires cut, though he could not confirm if the same crew was responsible.

Scheff expressed his ongoing concern for the community’s infrastructure. “I’m just afraid of when they fix it, somebody’s going to come by and yank out wires again,” he stated, highlighting the cyclical nature of the vandalism.