Thieves targeting wheelchair ramps at Seattle elementary schools

SEATTLE — Two elementary schools in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood have been targeted by thieves.

On Wednesday morning, staff at Adams Elementary School showed up to find the wheelchair ramp to a portable classroom was gone.

There were no security cameras to catch the theft. A Seattle Public Schools spokesperson says there will be security cameras at every elementary school if voters pass the two levies on the ballot.

Thieves stole a similar wheelchair ramp to a portable classroom at nearby North Beach Elementary School over the holiday break. That ramp has now been replaced.

“Well, it's sad,” said Susan Peterson, who lives near North Beach.  “I can't even imagine what they're doing with them.”

Class wasn't impacted at either school, but it took away wheelchair access to the classroom.

”I think the act speaks for itself,” Seattle Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson told KIRO 7.

Without security camera footage, it’s not clear if the same suspect or suspects hit both schools.

Robinson said theft and vandalism like this is a further reason the district is asking voters to vote for the two levies.

“If they're approved, we'll be able to get the security cameras for all elementary schools,” Robinson said.

“Some of the schools have the cameras now, the newer ones. But not all the older ones, and we're hoping to change that.”

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