Magnolia man pepper-sprayed by neighborhood's private security guard

A Magnolia man says he was pepper-sprayed for no reason by the private security officer hired by residents to keep them safe.

The incident happened on Wednesday around 11 a.m. at 27th Avenue West and West Fort Street.

Andrew Harris said he was sitting in his car when the Magnolia Community Patrol officer knocked on his window, then opened his car door and told him he was illegally parked.

"He just said I looked suspicious," said Harris, "They hired him to protect the neighborhood, instead he assaulted me."

Harris said he pulled his door closed, and though he was legally parked, he moved his car. Harris said he parked then got out to talk to the officer who works for Central Protection.  Harris said he asked the officer to if he could use his phone to record the interaction. When he got his phone out, he said the officer smacked it out of his hands. The phone hit the ground and broke open. Harris got on the ground to pick up the pieces, that's when he said the security officer started to pepper spray him for no reason.

"I got up and tried to go back to my car and he chased me the entire way pepper-spraying me seven or eight times. I was trying to get into my car. He had me pinned against the side of it," said Harris.

He said at one point the officer dropped the pepper spray on the front seat of his car. Harris said he handed it back to the officer who then kept spraying him. The security guard handcuffed Harris, and called 911.

Seattle police arrived to investigate. No one was arrested.  Seattle police told KIRO-7 they are investigating the incident. The police report is not available yet, it is still processing.

Some Magnolia residents hired a security guard because they were upset with police response times and attention given to the neighborhood.

Resident Mardig Sheridan joined and helps pay for the Magnolia Patrol. "My experience has been they've been very professional, very helpful," said Sheridan. When asked about the pepper-spray incident he said, "I think we have to be careful. Obviously an abuse of power is not OK. On the other hand these are the people we hire to take care of us. Let's be careful about the decisions we make about who is right and wrong. Let's find out what happened first."

Magnolia Patrol organizers didn't returns from KIRO-7.  The citizen group told Harris they would investigate. Magnolia Patrol contracts with Central Protection for guards. KIRO-7 is still waiting for a response from Central Protection.

Harris has lived in Magnolia for about 20 years. He works at the 76 Station and the Spirit of Magnolia Liquor Store in Magnolia Village. He understands residents were worried about needing more security -- but thinks the private officer went too far. He says having the private security officer on patrol puts them in danger.

"Fire him," said Harris, "I think the guy should be in jail."

Cox Media Group