Crime & Safety
Ridgecrest Police Storefront Reopens
Smoke smell is mostly gone after arson at hair salon next door in December
The Shoreline Police Department's Eastside storefront reopened for business on Monday after most of the overpowering smoke smell caused by a Dec. 19 arson was gone from the office.
No arrests have been made in the arson case which closed the police storefront and a neighboring hair salon, Images Styling Salon, for weeks for repairs and clean-up. The hair salon owner is still working with her insurance carrier and the salon remains closed because of the damage.
"It's much, much better," said Elise Schwartzmiller, a volunteer at the police storefront. She said the smoke smell was pretty strong earlier this month but is not quite as bad now.
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"It did kind of get to you," she said.
Storefront Officer Greg McKinney and his staff of volunteers provide many services, some of which are: Block Watch, Pet Licensing, low cost steering wheel locks (Anti Auto Theft Program), and crime prevention security surveys. The storefront has been a resourceful hub in the Shoreline community for over fifteen years. For more information on the programs, click on this link to the Police webpage and go to the Storefront brochure.
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Meawhile, arson remains under investigation. King County Sheriff’s Office Arson Investigators urge people to call them at 1-800-55-ARSON, or (206) 296-6670, with any information about this serious crime. Case number is 11-282905. A $10,000 reward was established.
The Shoreline Police Department contributed to this report.
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