Written by Our mayor and police chief are working hard to further tighten security at the Transit Center.
Right away we are modernizing the camera system (to give us much higher resolution images and better detail capture/recording), and streaming the images into more police work centers… including new higher-definition plasma displays right at the police sub-station at the Transit Center. The new system will allow police and other officials to monitor more details, including faces and weapons, rather than just general crowd movements and disturbances. We may also be soliciting volunteers to work with Renton PD to monitor these cameras at certain hours of the day… so watch for a city volunteer request if this is something you might be willing to help with.
Existing signage already warns visitors that they are being video monitored, so this should not be a surprise to anyone.
The mayor is also working with King County to see if we can put more King County/private security forces in place. Meanwhile, I am sure the police will maintain an emphasis on this area.
We will also be pursuing more long-term solutions as well, and everyone’s suggestions are welcome and encouraged. If you have ideas on how we can make the Transit Center safer, please comment them below or send an email to the council this link here
filthy stations
Randy-
I would never have believed how disgusting that transit center was if I had not cut through there the other day on my way to the eye doctor. Right in the middle of the clean and beautiful “revitalized” downtown, including our charming Farmer’s Market, I was suddenly in a cesspool of newspapers, garbage, an overpowering odor of urine, and encampments reminiscent of the most problematic freeway underpass. I immediately phoned Metro, but they had no satisfactory answers as to who is responsible for policing this facility. Obviously, some agency, or several agencies, possibly in concert with citizen volunteers, should be making sure that the entire area is as clean and safe as possible, and a continuous police presence should be negotiated with Metro policymakers. The present conditions convey a definite sense of petty lawlessness, creating a creepy, isolated island out of view of the general public. Bring in the Mozart, the neighborhood diner, anything which will create citizen-oriented destinations up and down this street.
Re: filthy stations
Yow! It’s gotten bad…
We need to make it at inhospitable for people to loiter and plot:
1) Remove all the benches except for a few reserved for the infirm and the aged. Label them so that they don’t get used.
2) As previously said, classical music at a good volume.
3) Enforce a the laws on petty crimes – change people’s behavior before the crimes become more serious *
4) Blast the sidewalks – get rid of the gum
5) Don’t allow food or drink to be consumed.
6) Get rid of the bargain-basement concession stand.
7) No public telephones. They’re used for drug dealing – normal people have cell phones.
8) Enforce a 30 minute loitering rule.
None of aforementioned changes (except 1, and 6) would hurt normal people using the Transit Center for it’s intended purpose.