Marine Security Aviation Demonstration on Aug. 18

The Tacoma Fire Department, Seattle Fire Department and King County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a joint training demonstration along the Thea Foss Waterway on Aug. 18.

In conjunction with the Marine Security West 2014 Conference in Tacoma, the King County Sheriff Office’s Guardian 2 helicopter will demonstrate an Airborne Tactical Extraction Platform (AirTEP) deployment by inserting a Seattle Fire Department rescue swim team into a simulated water rescue scenario.  

A helispot landing zone will be set up at Thea’s Park (405 Dock St.) from 1 - 6 p.m. For safety purposes, Thea’s Park will be closed to the public during this time frame, and the mouth of the Thea Foss Waterway will close to public vessel traffic from approximately 4 - 4:45 p.m. during the live demonstration.

Those with questions can contact Joe Meinecke in the Tacoma Fire Department at (253) 255-3260, Kyle Moore in the Seattle Fire Department at (206) 250-1892, or Sgt. Cindi West at the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 250-0778.

Occupy Tacoma Event Friday

Please read the link below regarding the Occupy Tacoma Walk event that is scheduled tomorrow, October 7^th.

The walking route will be along Pacific Avenue, so occupants of buildings should be aware of this event.

http://occupytacoma.org/

Drive Nice, Tacoma

The City of Tacoma, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Washington State Department of Health want drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists to be aware of each other and share the road.

In a light and humorous way, the campaign, designed by Rusty George Creative strives to address a serious topic: vehicle-pedestian crashes. The goal was to make people stop and think about who else is using the road and how we can all avoid accidents by paying attention.

Fox News reported on the safety campaign here.

TV Tacoma's CityScape Highlights BIA Security

The January episode of the TV Tacoma program, CityScape features the BIA Security Patrol and our services. The segment can be viewed on the TV Tacoma website, click on the January 2010 episode. The BIA segment is at minute 8:50 in the program.

BIA Security
One of the primary functions of the BIA is to provide additional security services in downtown Tacoma. For workers residents, students, shoppers and employers, the BIA Security Patrol means safety and security in downtown. The BIA Security patrols, in their yellow and black uniforms are a readily identifiable fixture in downtown Tacoma.

Working in partnership with the Tacoma Police Department, UWT Security, Pierce Transit and other security entities, via NEXTEL radios, the patrols provide a security presence and respond to calls in downtown from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily.

In addition to their regular patrols, BIA Security is available for security escorts within downtown anytime during operating hours.

Useful Security Numbers:

BIA Bike Patrol: (253) 383-1131
TPD Downtown Cops: (253) 692-5891
TPD Non-Emergency: (253) 798-4721
Emergency: 911

In addition to the security patrols, the BIA hosts SecureNet, an email listserve notification system used to alert the downtown community to security incidents and suspicious persons. To be added to the SecureNet please email your contact information to chelseal@tacomachamber.org

The SecureNet supports and informs the BIA Security Advisory Committee. The Committee meets monthly to address and share security concerns within the 84-blocks of the BIA. The Security Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Security professionals, downtown business and property owners, Tacoma Police Department, Transit agencies, BIA Patrol, and concerned citizens are regular attendees of these meetings.

When: First Thursday of each month
Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Simpson Community Room, 950 Pacific Ave., third floor

To receive meeting notifications please contact Chelsea Levy, (253) 627-2175 or chelseal@tacomachamber.org

Downtown Officers to Rotate in January

Downtown Tacoma has been fortunate to have Jim Pincham and Marty Price as our downtown officers for the past eight years. Two years ago the BIA successful advocated to delay Marty and Jim’s six-year career rotation and the officers remained in downtown for an additional two years. Unfortunately, we’ve been notified by the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) that their time is up and downtown will get two new officers starting January. Jim and Marty have been true assets to the downtown community. During their tenure downtown has experienced a dramatic decrease in crime, a trend we hope to continue with their replacements.

Thank you, Marty and Jim for your service to downtown. We hope that your new assignments will keep you in the neighborhood!

The people are not the only thing that will change in this reassignment process. The new officers (yet to be named) will patrol downtown on bikes and work the swing shift from the afternoon into the night. Jim and Marty worked the day shift. This change was sparked by a recent analysis that indicated calls for police service in downtown are highest between 5pm and 11pm.

Additionally, two Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) will be assigned to downtown. Officer Wayne Beales and Officer Scott Newbold will cover downtown from 5am to 5pm. Between the new schedule for the downtown officers and the newly assigned CLOs, there will be more dedicated police coverage for downtown than we’ve had in years!

October is Crime Prevention Month

Take part in Crime Prevention Month The City is joining with the National Crime Prevention Council to observe Crime Prevention Month during October.Crime prevention and safety takes a community to be successful; it is being aware that a crime can occur, anticipating how, when, where and who might be the victim, and taking action to reduce the chances of it happening. Crime prevention is using instinct, common sense and action to eliminate or greatly reduce the criminal’s opportunity.

The Tacoma City Council and staff are working hard to make Tacoma safe, clean and attractive, and your contributions to the effort will make the difference.
You can get started now by:

Removing opportunities for criminals to steal your car by locking it up and/or parking in your garage.

Check the locks on your home’s doors and windows to make sure they’re in good working order, and fasten them securely when you leave home, every time.


Together we can have safer and cleaner neighborhoods. Read more about the City’s Safe and Clean effort and find out how to get involved at www.cityoftacoma.org/safeandclean or by calling (253) 591-5130. For more information about National Crime Prevention Month, visit http://www.ncpc.org.

A Luzon Rescue?

The Luzon Building might have got a metaphorical and physical “boost of support” to its walls thanks to Tacoma contractor Igor Kunista, owner of Serpanok Construction Inc. Kunista told the City Council this past Tuesday that he would like to begin shoring up the leaning brick walls of the six-story building this week if he can buy it from its present owner, local developer the Gintz Group.

The north wall of the building is leaning 5 inches toward South 13th Street, an ominous sign of eventual collapse. This threat of collapse prompted the city’s Public Works Department to close South 13th Street and one southbound lane of Pacific Avenue adjacent to the building in order to protect the public.

According to The News Tribune, Kunitsa’s plan calls for him to invest $2.33 million in cash in the historic building. The remainder of the $6 million in construction cost would be paid with a $2 million loan from Wells Fargo Bank and a $1.65 million low-interest loan from the City of Tacoma. The city had offered that same loan to the building’s owner, The Gintz Group, but the Tacoma developer has been unable to find tenants to rent the offices in the rehabilitated structure.

A consultant to Kunitsa, however, claims that several tenants have shown strong interest in signing up for office space if Kunitsa is the one to rehabilitate the building. In addition, Kunitsa thinks he may be able to rehabilitate the Luzon more economically than Gintz because he could be the building’s developer as well as its general contractor as opposed to an outside contractor that Gintz would need to hire.

Also in the Tribune, there is mention that the city may be able to step in to install reinforcements to keep the building intact if Kunitsa’s plan falls through or if Gintz can’t find new financing to rehabilitate the building.

For a more detailed article on this exciting new downtown news, read The News Tribune article. [link: http://www.thenewstribune.com/business/story/842233.html?storylink=pd ]

Streets to Close Around Luzon Building

At this afternoon’s City Council Study Session City staff announced that starting tomorrow S. 13th Street and the southbound outside lane of Pacific Ave., adjacent to the Luzon Building will close for an undetermined amount of time.

The street closures are the City’s response to the “life safety” risks that the deterioration of the Luzon Building poses to pedestrians and passing traffic. As S. 13th St. is a major freeway access route to downtown, traffic will be detoured to ramps at S. 21st St. and S. 9th St.

These street closures coincide with road construction along Commerce St. and S. 9th St., making parts of downtown impassable to vehicles. My recommendation for getting around downtown, at least in the interim, is jumping on your bike or putting on some walking shoes.

Security Camera Positioning: one of the keys to catching crooks

Last month the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber hosted a business discussion with security experts Sagem Morpho. Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor facilitated the conversation, which emphasized accurate positioning of security cameras to effectively identify crooks.

Learn more about how to position security cameras to capture good quality face images for assisting criminal investigations at the Chamber's Tech Connect Blog.

12th and Pacific Hill Climb Gets a Facelift

The hill climb just north of Pacific Plaza at 12th and Pacific is slated for major improvements in conjunction with the Pacific Plaza renovation. The 12th and Pacific Hill Climb, which was once home to one of Tacoma’s notorious outdoor escalators is currently characterized by a wandering staircase and overgrown vegetation. Coupled with the Pacific Plaza construction, this hill climb (not unlike the others around town) is cold, dark and uninviting.

However, the planned improvements will provide a much needed pedestrian link between Commerce St. and Pacific Ave. The City and BLRB Architects have developed a plan to replace the stairway and plants with a design-to-suit retail building and outdoor courtyard as part of the Pacific Plaza redevelopment. A 15 foot wide stairway will be built where the cement catacomb that once housed the escalator now stands.

Plans for this project have included a number of community stakeholders. Public Art for the area is coordinated by the City’s Arts Administrator, Amy McBride. The owners of the adjacent building are working with local architect David Boe to design small improvements to their building that will promote plenty of watchful eyes on the stairway and courtyard. Lastly, The designs were reviewed by the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Police Department and take into consideration Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) recommendations.

The designs were reviewed by the City Council’s Economic Development Committee last week. Look for construction of the improvements to begin soon.

REGISTER NOW for 2009’s First City Center Lunch

Friday, Jan. 16th, 11:30 (registration) 12:00-1:15 (program)
at Pacific Grill’s New Event Center, 1530 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402

Don’t be left out in the cold…the Winter City Center Luncheon will keep you up-to-date on new developments and events downtown. This quarter’s luncheon will feature presentations on:

• The University of Washington Tacoma’s Joy Building renovation
  The Joy Building is the last of the University of Washington Tacoma’s campus heritage buildings located along Pacific Avenue to be renovated. Upgrading the Joy Building is the next step in fulfilling UWT’s campus master plan. The renovation will provide additional classroom and faculty office space to support expanded and new degree programs and will serve to transition the campus toward the new 4-year curriculum.
  
• Downtown Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Improvements
  Representatives from the Tacoma Police Department will discuss CPTED improvements proposed for Fireman’s Park, University of Washington Tacoma and the Tacoma Art Museum. The premise of CPTED is that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime, a reduction in calls for police service and to an increase in the quality of life for residents.
  
• Sound Transit Sound Improvement Project in the Dome District
  A Sound Transit representative will describe the proposed Sounder D to M Street ignal and track improvements in the Dome District, which will extend Sounder commuter rail service to stations in South Tacoma and Lakewood. A citizens advisory committee is currently working with Sound Transit staff to approve right of way width and track height as the new rail line crosses through the Dome District.
  
• Preview of Tollefson Plaza’s Lunar New Year Celebration
  Join the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to ring in the Lunar New Year and celebrate Tacoma’s Asian communities. The Lunar New Year, celebrated by communities across Asia is a time for renewal and a chance to welcome and celebrate the year to come. Tacoma’s Lunar New year celebration in Tollefson Plaza will kick off on January 30th at 5:00 p.m. with a traditional dragon dance and food from Asian cultures that celebrate this occasion.

Register on line at www.tacomachamber.org or contact Janice at the Chamber janiceh@tacomachamber.org, 253.627.2175

Price: $20 Ambassadors prepaid
$25 Members prepaid
$30 Members at the door
$35 Non-members prepaid or at the door