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Car Toys, the Seattle-based car audio and wireless phone company, reportedly called the FBI last week after receiving a large prepaid wireless phone order. A group called Al-Quds--the Arabic name for Jerusalem--ordered 200 phones, according to the anonymous tipster.

A Car Toys spokesperson denied the company has joined Attorney General John Ashcroft's TIPS program, saying the company calls the authorities on all large orders for wireless phones. "It's a routine thing," she said. AMY JENNIGES

TDO Update

The city council was set to replace the Teen Dance Ordinance with a revitalized All Ages Dance Ordinance at its meeting on Monday, August 5. Unfortunately, the necessary fifth vote--Heidi Wills--was out sick. The repeal advocates wisely postponed the historic vote until August 12--125 years to the day that Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. JOSH FEIT

Applying for Layoffs

Come September, Seattle may be aflutter with pink slips. Mayor Greg Nickels, estimating a $50 million budget gap, is talking layoffs. To save the city from doing a massive firing, Nickels pitched a "Separation Incentive Program."

City employees had until July 24 to apply to get laid off in return for eight weeks' pay. The mayor's office wouldn't say how many people applied. ISOLDE RAFTERY

SPD Cuts

Speaking of budget gaps, the Seattle Police Department's Crime Prevention and Community Service units may shut down at the end of the year, employees were told on Monday, August 5. The department's civilian crime prevention coordinators organize block watches (and this year's August 6 Night Out), and civilian community service officers do crisis intervention work and conflict mediation.

The likely cut is part of the police department's effort to trim its budget by five percent, per the mayor's orders. AMY JENNIGES

Sex Creep Strikes Again

At a Friday, August 2, Graceland show, a sick man rubbed his exposed penis on female legs (including mine), and pushed it against young women's backsides, before security kicked him out. (See It's My Party, page 43, for another account.) Ladies, don't let this perverted loser get off on your legs. Alert club security if you see him--he's Asian, 41 years old and about five feet tall--or, even better, report him to the police. This guy's been caught before ["Sex Offense at Capitol Hill Block Party," Amy Jenniges, July 18]. JENNIFER MAERZ

Don't Sign It

Former Mayor Charles Royer was rumored to be shopping an anti-monorail letter--trying to woo signatures from other former mayors. Royer did not return our calls. JOSH FEIT