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New fences on Logan Avenue in Renton help protect Boeing worker’s cars from thieves and prowlers
Anyone still arguing that crime is not really so bad should take a drive down Park Avenue or Logan Avenue in Renton. For the first time in history, Boeing in Renton has had to protect employees cars with fencing and cameras, after the tsunami of car thefts, catalytic converter thefts, and break-ins became too much for their employees. This was not an inexpensive measure for Boeing to take, and it hurts the aesthetics of their campus, but they did it for good cause.
In recent months employees have been requesting assistance from company leaders so that they could feel safe bringing their cars to work. Some of them have taken to public Reddit pages to discuss it, which is how I became aware of the issues. Posts like these:
“Just saw a coworker who lost his catalytic converter from his car last night. This actually happened twice for him in Renton facility during 2nd shift.”
“I was wondering if Boeing has any plan for improving security from Renton facility as this place is getting involved with more car stolen with gun threats and catalytic converters being stolen targeting employees lately.”
“I know they just installed cameras in the parking lots at Renton. Security higher-ups are taking the increased crime seriously; I don’t have details though, just know discussions are frequent and ongoing.”
I enjoyed a 33 year career at Boeing (retiring in 2017), with almost 20 of those years in buildings throughout Renton. Never once did I worry about my car when parked in a Boeing parking lot, any time of day or night. The lots were mostly unfenced, unless they did double-duty for aircraft or equipment use. And I’ve traveled to Boeing facilities in many parts of the US, and never found one where the parking lots were fenced to protect the cars. (There were security fences to protect airplanes, equipment, and proprietary data, but not specifically cars.)
I commend Boeing for taking action when they needed to for the safety of their employees and their property. But it’s a shame the City of Renton was no longer able, after 80 years, to deliver a safe environment for their employees to park their cars. We can and should do better.
That is sad, I remember parking in some of those lots before they were even paved. But is good to see The Boeing Company stepping up to help their employees.
My feelings exactly, Dave.
The inability to curb the theft of catalytic converters and Cars has now impacted the cost of the products sold by the city’s largest cash cow ! The cost of the fencing is another overhead cost that should have been avoided! I know our city is trying to curb this epidemic but be vigilant don’t quit now. Hire move of our city’s finest RPD !
Thanks Len! I agree!
Being soft on crime is no virtue for the innocent.
For sure, you do the crime you do the time!
Not much of a fence. For young person, that fence is no challenge.
What about the entrance to the lot, is that protected in anyway?
A commenter on facebook who said that pretty soon the parking lots will require a badge to get in. I’m not sure if that would be an automatic gate or a guard shack.
True, the fence isn’t going to stop a determined thief. However, it does slow them down and limit options. Furthermore, it’s a tangible barrier of which no outsider should have any business being seen within—A person is less apt to have just innocently wandered into the area while supposedly sojourning on a short cut.
I worked at Boeing for 34 years and never had a problem in any of their parking lots. I retired in 1995 however.
While I never had any problems with others messing with my cars , there were others that did, I got out of there in 2020, after 42 years.
This makes our city look like a fortress. And if this is happening, you can imagine what people in downtown Renton are going through.
Elections have consequences.
Duh !!!!!
Keep all criminals in jail for their full term. I am aware there are exceptions.
BUT, STOP the revolving door policies.
Maybe you forgot about or have never read our Washington State Constitution, Article 1, Section 1:
“All political power is inherent in the PEOPLE, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.”
Come on November’s election !!!!
I am feed up. How about you?
And no one should miss the August 1st primary. Those decisions are important too.
You are so right !!!!
Thank you so much for the reminder of the August 01st Primary.
This is a sad sight to see Private Property needing to fence there property to help their employees keep their vehicles safe! When can we prosecute these felons and put them behind bars? Elections Matter!
Think twice before casting your vote for Kim. There’s a glaring contrast between her past actions and her current campaign promises.
Kim not only endorsed Carmen Rivera’s “Abolish the Police” campaign, but she also actively participated in the anti-police demonstrations. Not only that, but she used her social media platforms to advocate for these views, even going as far as to post the phrase “ACAB” for all her followers to see.
Today, however, she appears to be singing a different tune. Kim would have you believe that she has magically changed her stance overnight, conveniently in time for the elections. What’s more alarming is the audacity with which she’s trying to take credit for the achievements of others. In her voter’s guide, she claims to have been instrumental in enhancing Public Safety, despite all evidence pointing to the contrary.
If the past two years are any indication, we can expect Kim to continue on this path of misrepresentation and falsehoods if elected.
It’s high time we demand better because our community deserves better.
Four legitimate candidates are running to lead us. All of them are trustworthy, hard-working, and love our city. Let’s elect one of them.
Anybody but Kim.
How come Boeing gets to put up 8 foot fences? Everybody else can only have 4 feet at the front of the property and six at the back of the property?