April Public Safety Meeting

The April community meeting was packed with important topics and guests, including representatives from SDOT, Seattle Police, and Council Member Joy Hollingsworth.

SDOT kicked off the meeting by presenting the Lake Washington Boulevard Renovations Project (Proposed Design Concepts), focusing on traffic calming from Lake Park Dr S to S Orcas St. Although this project doesn’t directly affect Leschi neighborhood, it was insightful to see the ongoing work to the south and their commitment to continue along the boulevard as resources allow.

Following SDOT’s presentation, they fielded questions from the group, sparking a lively discussion mainly centered around traffic calming efforts in Leschi, even though we knew it wasn’t the primary focus of their presentation. Both SDOT and Council Member Hollingsworth encouraged everyone to review the “One Seattle Comprehensive Plan” and provide feedback to shape the city’s growth and investment strategies for the next two decades.

Next, Council Member Hollingsworth addressed the community, discussing traffic safety concerns. She highlighted the Transportation Levy Proposal, urging us to review and give feedback by April 26 to influence the final proposal. She also mentioned her efforts to install “No Parking” signs in the Lake Washington business district and ended by sharing a new email address to use when sharing questions or concerns to her office (d3help@seattle.gov), and is seen by her whole staff which ensures it gets addressed in a timely manner.

In the final segment of the meeting, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator, Joe Elenbass, fielded questions from the community, particularly regarding how to contact the police effectively. He reiterated that for any serious situation or emergency to call 911, but for anything that is not an emergency to use either the non-emergency number (206.625.5011) or the Online Crime Reporting portal and you will receive follow up contact. He also did share if 911 is called, and it’s not a serious situation or emergency, individuals can request a call back from a member of the Telephone Reporting Unit, who will follow up as soon as they are able.

A big thank you to all who attended the meeting and to those who shared their projects and insights.

~Allen Urness, Leschi resident