Parents press Renton council for urgent safety fixes near Sartori Elementary

Dozens of Renton residents pressed the City Council on Feb. 2 for immediate safety improvements near Sartori Elementary following multiple collisions involving pedestrians. Speakers described a parent hit while crossing Park Avenue, a later crash involving a high‑school student, recurring speeding on Meadow and Williams avenues, and repeated near‑misses during school drop‑off and pickup.

Emily Beckley read a statement from a parent who was struck, asking the council “to consider updating the traffic signals around Sartori Elementary to improve safety for pedestrians,” and to prevent cars from turning while crosswalk signals are active. “We can’t let another accident like this happen to someone else,” the statement said.

Several other parents and residents urged specific measures. Anissa Gastine said it has been more than six months since a parent was struck and that families “have not seen consistent and visible safety improvements,” calling for speed‑enforcement cameras and other calming measures. Nicole Candland, a trained first responder, described stabilizing a struck mother and asked the council for “school zone cameras, left turn only lights, and a higher police presence.” Alex Pizarro proposed adding 20 mph signage “in the front, side, and back of the school.” Tristan Cochin urged adding all‑way walk signals during school hours, a ban on right‑on‑red at nearby intersections and eventual two‑way conversions of 3rd and 4th streets, and asked the council to place those projects in the six‑year transportation plan and budget.

Mayor Armando Pavoni told speakers the council had received an update from the public works administrator earlier that day and said staff were paying attention to the concerns raised. The hearing record shows no ordinance, funding approval or formal vote on specific street changes during the meeting; council members concurred that staff are reviewing the issues.

What happens next: speakers asked for immediate enforcement changes and capital improvements. Several requested that staff evaluate cameras, signal timing, left‑turn restrictions, all‑way walk signals and adding projects to the transportation plan. The council did not adopt any of those measures at the meeting but acknowledged the complaints and indicated staff follow‑up will occur.