Stayton shows crosswalk safety video, cites grants for near‑term improvements

Stayton — City staff reintroduced a revised crosswalk safety video to the City Council and outlined stepped‑up education and enforcement efforts aimed at improving pedestrian safety around schools and busy intersections.

The video, shown at the meeting with subtitles, explains Oregon pedestrian crossing rules and urges both drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution. Chief Johns and city staff said their personnel have increased visible patrols at crosswalks, worked with school crossing guards and distributed educational flyers to businesses and residents.

Councilor Simmons thanked staff for the emphasis on crosswalk safety. City staff said the city received a Safe Streets to School grant that will fund enhanced pedestrian crossing work at Third and Fern Ridge. The county received a separate Safe Routes to School grant that will fund ADA access ramps along First Avenue and improvements at Locust and First, staff said. No budgets or implementation timelines were specified during the presentation.

Chief Johns said the public‑facing video and the visible enforcement are part of an ongoing education effort: “Sometimes it’s education of the drivers … once someone starts out there appealing to them and remaining stopped,” she said, describing contacts with both pedestrians and motorists.

Staff asked residents to consult the Oregon Department of Transportation for more details on state crosswalk laws and to watch the city’s social media and website for updates when the video and additional outreach materials are released.

City staff did not propose an ordinance or change to traffic regulations at the meeting; council discussion focused on education, enforcement and grant‑funded infrastructure work.