SEATTLE — The City of Seattle has decided to install more speed cameras to crack down on illegal street racing after a vote on Tuesday.
“Our community has been pleading for help for years to stop drag racing. This month’s crash on Alki Avenue Southwest shows just how dangerous conditions have become,” said Councilmember Herbold, who chairs the Public Safety Committee. “I’m proud to have partnered with neighbors and pass this first-of-its-kind legislation to make our streets safer.”
The new legislation will allow automated safety cameras to be placed in certain areas. It will establish restricted racing zones and the automated cams will crack down on dangerous situations.
West Seattle resident Steve Humphrey believes the cameras will help.
“I do believe it will be a significant deterrent if speeders are ticketed and the word gets out, especially if it’s on an around-the-clock basis,” he said.
The City Council took public comment during the meeting.
“Please don’t wait until another person gets hit, hurt, shot, or killed before taking action,” said West Seattle resident Mike Gain. “Camera enforcement eliminates police involvement and engagement, it’s a non-law enforcement solution to a serious problem.”
“Every day and night we witness high-speed cars and motorcycles blasting along the 25-mile-per-hour streets at excessive street speeds,” added West Seattle resident Deborah Hendrickson.
The City Council’s Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee first heard details on the ordinance on July 18.
Street racing and other forms of reckless driving have been a concern for some residents, including those in West Seattle who live near Alki Beach.
West Seattle homeowner, Alec Sheldon lives near Alki Avenue. Alec says he avoids the popular boardwalk late on summer nights because of street racing concerns.
“It’s dangerous when that kind of stuff happens because you never know what the mob mentality is going to do,” said Sheldon.
In April, our cameras were in position right outside the Belltown studios to see a loud and dangerous event at the corner of Third Avenue and Clay Street. At that time, a sideshow saw a number of cars burning rubber and doing donuts in the intersection. Marks are still visible on the road months later.
A woman named Sheila spoke at the ordinance about her experience living in West Seattle near Alki Beach.
“From June 24 to July 1, I called the police daily. The calls, at times, were up to 10 times a day. I called after I kept a tally of up to 40 cars speeding at times. this would happen mostly on Friday, Saturday, Sunday,” she said.
Jody Albright, who also lives in West Seattle, urged the council to make sure the cameras could be put up near Alki to deter speeding and racing.
“It’s getting very dangerous to enjoy the Alki area. We need your help to protect the lives of the residents, visiting families, and the thousands of tourists who come to visit Alki,” said Albright.
There are numerous locations being considered for the speed/racing cameras. The council saw maps for roads near Alki Beach and in West Seattle along West Marginal Way and other areas in and around Magnuson Park. The precise locations are listed below.
- Alki Avenue SW between 63rd Ave SW and Harbor Avenue SW.
- Harbor Avenue SW between Alki Avenue SW and SW Spokane St.
- West Marginal Way SW between SW Spokane St and 2nd Ave SW.
- Sand Point Way NE between 38th Ave NE and NE 95th St.
- NE 65th St between Sand Point Way NE and Magnuson Park.
- Roads inside Magnuson Park including, but not limited to, Northeast 65th Street and Lake Shore Drive Northeast.
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