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Residents urge Enumclaw council to act after pedestrian death at Cole and Stevenson intersection
Summary
Multiple residents told the council they are grieving and fearful after the January death of Eileen Griffith at the Cole and Stevenson corner and asked for lights, signage, temporary flags, enforcement and ADA improvements; no formal action was taken at the meeting.
Several residents used the public-comment period on June 22 to urge the Enumclaw City Council to accelerate traffic-calming and pedestrian-safety measures at the Cole and Stevenson intersection and in nearby neighborhoods after a January crash that resulted in the death of a local resident.
A resident (speaker 5) said they had left messages for staff and asked for an update on how the city is "moving forward on the Stevenson Coal area," and requested pedestrian funding. "We would still wish to have a an update regarding how we're moving forward on the Stevenson Coal area.... We really need your help," the speaker said.
Another resident and Navy veteran (speaker 6) described the stakes directly. "I raised my hand twice to protect our land against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. I didn't realize that we had enemies behind the wheel with their coffee cup and their telephone... at the corner of Cole And Stevenson," he said, urging enforcement, lighting, 25-mph signage and speed checks to prevent further deaths and citing the victim he identified as "little Eileen."
Nora Tackenboge (speaker 7) identified herself as a city resident and emphasized that the intersection lacks proper signs. She asked whether low-cost measures such as handheld red flags used in other cities could be deployed as an interim step to increase driver awareness. "I just hope that, you know, Eileen's death wasn't in vain," Tackenboge said.
Cindy Proctor (speaker 8) provided neighborhood-level detail, describing persistent speeders, drivers who do not live in the area and missing ADA-compliant curb ramps on Trella/Trilla and Melody that force people into the street. She said she has video evidence of stop-sign violations and requested reconsideration of lower-cost traffic-calming options such as reflective markings and a short drop-off zone near the library to reduce shortcutting through adjacent neighborhoods.
Council members did not take formal action during public comment; speakers asked for updates and funding to address safety concerns. Several council committees and staff later discussing related items (public safety committee and public works) suggest the matter could be considered further at the committee level, but no specific commitment was recorded in the minutes from this meeting.
