Parent urges Issaquah Council to act after repeated assaults on children at city property

James Marquardt told the Issaquah City Council on Feb. 10 that his son and another child were physically assaulted on city property and that the location has been the site of multiple similar incidents.

Marquardt, who identified himself as a resident at 575 Mount Everest Lane SW on Squawk Mountain, described a pattern of violence at "predictable locations at predictable times" and told council members the assaults ranged from unprovoked violence to repeated harassment. "These aren't minor scuffles," he said, adding that some incidents required a medical response and monitoring for possible concussions.

Marquardt said his outreach to other parents uncovered at least three additional assaults at the same location in the previous year, and that the incidents have had concrete consequences: one family changed schools and sought counseling because of trauma, and another is considering leaving the city. He said some families have stopped reporting incidents because they lost faith that reporting produces change.

"I—m here today to ensure this ongoing safety issue is maintained as part of our public record and to ask the council to take the reality of the state of child safety in Issaquah seriously," Marquardt said.

The mayor and city clerk thanked Marquardt for bringing the matter to the council's attention and noted that the public comment would be part of the record. Marquardt acknowledged he does not condone individuals taking matters into their own hands but relayed community frustration that could lead some to do so.

Why it matters: Marquardt—s remarks raise public-safety concerns about city property used by children, allege repeated incidents at a single location and describe families altering school and housing decisions because of safety fears.

What the record shows - Alleged incidents: Marquardt said his son and a friend were assaulted two weeks earlier and that the same location had been the site of at least three other assaults during the past year. - Severity: Multiple incidents required medical response and concussion monitoring, per Marquardt—s statement. - Community impact: At least one family changed schools and sought counseling; another family is considering leaving Issaquah. Some residents, Marquardt said, have stopped reporting incidents because they believe doing so will not prompt change.

No formal council action was taken during the public-comment period; the council proceeded to its scheduled agenda items (candidate interviews and appointment deliberations). Marquardt said he was asking the council to "work with us, the people of Issaquah, to figure out how to keep [children] safe." The council did not record any directive or formal follow-up action on the public record at that time.

Ending The council thanked Marquardt for his remarks and moved on to the next agenda item. No additional public-comment speakers were recorded at that point.