Parents Offer To Patrol U-District Streets

Parents of students living on University of Washington's Greek Row said they want to patrol streets themselves in light of five recent armed robberies in the neighborhood, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

The parents met with police Thursday night at a fraternity house to discuss what police called a "spike in violent incidents" in the University District.

"The police can't do everything. They can't be everywhere," said Mick Fleming, who has two daughters in a sorority.

Fleming said he supports the idea of a parent patrol on Fridays and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Students said they don't feel safe in the area at night after the string of violent robberies.

"I got an e-mail last Saturday saying someone got pistol-whipped outside my apartment so that definitely makes me feel uneasy," said Molly Massena.

Police said they are increasing patrols in the area, and they offered parents safety advice and whistles.

"We haven't really seen any trends or connecting dots between these incidents," said Ralph Robinson, assistant chief of UW police. "They appear to be very random. They appear to be crimes of opportunity."

Police said they're willing to look at the idea of parent patrols, but said it has some challenges and would need some very clear ground rules.