Residents urge stronger traffic enforcement, pedestrian safety measures and clearer alarm‑device registration process

Several Lakewood residents used the public‑comment period on Sept. 2 to press the council for more active traffic enforcement and pedestrian safety measures and to report problems with a police administrative process for security device registration.

Karen Winter, a regular walker, said motorists repeatedly ignored crosswalk signals and stop signs on her daily 3‑mile route. “This morning...I pushed the light to activate, and a person just drove right through while we were standing there ready to walk,” she said. Winter offered to volunteer on a community committee to raise awareness and urged the council to consider signage or other outreach: “I would very willingly give time to...stand on a corner to have a sign that says remember to stop. It's the law.”

David Oakes, a Lakewood resident, described receiving letters from the Lakewood Police Department and a third‑party administrator in Texas about an “unregistered home security device” tied to a medical alert activation. He said he visited police twice and received inconsistent responses and follow‑up: “I got a letter...that says you have an unregistered security device in your home...This is not resolved.” Oakes asked the city to improve communications and said he would “be willing to pay the extra dollar in taxes to keep our services here at home.”

Council and staff reaction: Council members acknowledged recurring traffic complaints and suggested outreach, education and enforcement tactics. Several council members and the city manager noted prior efforts to publicize school‑zone safety; one council member suggested renewed traffic‑safety messaging and targeted enforcement near high‑use pedestrian corridors. The city manager and staff signaled they would follow up with police on enforcement and with the police records unit on Oakes’ administrative issue.

Why it matters: Residents described near‑misses and a pattern of unsafe driving behavior around parks and crosswalks, elevating concerns for seniors and school‑age pedestrians. The administrative concern raised by Oakes also points to customer‑service and record‑keeping problems when residents seek in‑person help for automated notifications tied to private security or medical devices.

Next steps: Council members asked staff to explore community outreach, renewed safety campaigns and enforcement options; staff said they would follow up on Oakes’ registration issue and consider whether additional public education or enforcement resources are warranted.