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Fort Grounds neighbors urge Lakeshore Drive closures for July 4; police cite staffing and legal limits
Summary
Residents near the Fort Grounds neighborhood pressed the council to close Lakeshore Drive for July 4 fireworks, citing pedestrian crowding and traffic hazards. Police introduced the new chief and said staffing shortages, permit exemptions and lack of contractor availability limit the department’s ability to staff full neighborhood closures without a legal change or private partnerships.
Neighbors from the Fort Grounds neighborhood told the Coeur d'Alene City Council on June 2 they want Lakeshore Drive and adjacent streets closed during July 4 fireworks to protect families and reduce dangerous interactions between pedestrians and vehicles.
"There's a lot of concern in the neighborhood about kids and families crossing that street," resident Catherine Boss told the council. Multiple neighbors recounted past problems of congestion and long vehicle backups. Roger Snyder and Deb Cortes asked the city to work with the neighborhood on a safety plan and "really consider maybe closing again Lakeshore Drive during the 4th."
Jonathan Burns, who said he brought a detailed map from the neighborhood, proposed blocking access at Hubbard and Lakeshore and limiting exits to certain collector streets between about 6 p.m. and the end of the fireworks to reduce outbound congestion. "I think it would really keep traffic down," Burns told the council.
Police Captain Hager and newly introduced Police Chief Greg Yaeger responded that July 4 traffic planning involves police, fire and streets departments and noted a shortage of contract flaggers and available staff. "We've just run to a situation where the city lacks the amount of staff to be able to address all of these things," Captain Hager said. He described permit‑parking holidays and ordinance exemptions that limit the ability to unilaterally close some streets without a specific council action or ordinance change.
Councilmembers urged staff to connect the neighborhood to police planners; one councilmember asked staff to provide written materials showing how the city arrives at decisions and whether a targeted ordinance change could allow temporary closures. Chief Yaeger, recently sworn in, said he had been in town only a few days but planned to work with residents and staff.
The council did not adopt a temporary closure at the meeting but directed staff and police to follow up with the neighborhood about workable options and legal pathways for closures or private‑partnership staffing for barricades.
Representative quotes - "There's tons of... families, kids, people in the street... it's just a untenable, very dangerous situation," said Jonathan Burns (neighborhood representative). - "We've just run to a situation where the city lacks the amount of staff to be able to address all of these things," said Captain Hager (police).
