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Residents urge faster pedestrian-safety fixes after deadly crash at Cole and Stevenson
Summary
Multiple residents told the Enumclaw City Council June 22 that pedestrian-safety measures at the Cole and Stevenson intersection must be accelerated after a January crash that killed a local woman. Commenters urged lights, signage, enforcement and low-cost interim measures while the city pursues longer-term improvements.
At the June 22 meeting, multiple residents urged the Enumclaw City Council to speed up pedestrian-safety improvements at the Cole and Stevenson intersection after a January crash that resulted in a local woman's death.
Several speakers recounted the incident and pressed the council for concrete steps. One resident, speaking about the January victim, said she had left a message to seek an update and asked, “Please help” as the community copes with the loss. A second resident, who said he served in the Navy and Army Reserve, described frequent speeding and called for enforcement and engineering changes: “Put in the lights, put in the signs 25 miles an hour, and take people's cars away and do something, please.”
Nora Tackenboge, a longtime city resident, said the victim was Eileen Griffith and asked the city to consider low-cost interim measures while funds are secured: “Could we maybe get those little flags that you see in all the other cities, the red flags on a stick…anything to help.”
Cindy Proctor, another long‑time resident, described broader safety concerns on nearby neighborhood corridors such as Rilla Lane and Melody Lane. She cited missing ADA-compliant curb ramps, increased cut-through traffic because of downtown closures, and drivers who regularly fail to stop at control points. Proctor said she has documented violations and urged the council to reconsider lower-cost traffic‑calming options and crosswalk safety signage.
Why it matters: speakers framed the issue as both a public‑safety and equity concern—children, older adults and people using mobility devices are disproportionately exposed where sidewalks, curb cuts and crosswalks are inadequate. Residents asked the council not only for long-term capital improvements but also short-term measures and enforcement to reduce the immediate risk.
What the council said: staff and council committee reports earlier in the meeting noted that traffic‑calming requests and related projects have been discussed previously; committee members identified possible lower-cost options for consideration. The council did not take formal action on any specific pedestrian project during the June 22 meeting.
Next steps: residents requested a clearer timeline and updates from staff on pedestrian funding and planned work. Council members and staff indicated follow-up through the appropriate committees and future agendas.
