Everett City Hall building (2024).
EVERETT — A City Council committee heard updates on police safety measures, traffic photo enforcement cameras and the city’s “no-sit/no-lie” buffer zones at a meeting Oct. 23.
A new “no-sit/no-lie” buffer zone two blocks around the Imagine Children’s Museum will go live Nov. 15.
Updates on safety measures included Flock safety cameras to monitor crime and traffic issues.
Police Deputy Chief Jeff Hendrickson said the Flock cameras system is still in the implementation phase. “We’re not 100% up in the installations” but most are installed, Hendrickson said.
There have been 26 arrests thanks to the system, 17 stolen vehicle recoveries, found two missing persons, and recovered one illegal gun, Hendrickson said. In one case, a King County murder suspect was identified by seeing the suspect’s vehicle in Everett.
People can see how much activity is on the Flock system on a dashboard web page at the police department’s website.
Seven out of 11 automated traffic safety camera locations are operational. Some are issuing warnings to drivers, some are issuing tickets. It includes the northbound and southbound Broadway at 16th Street, which has come back online, traffic engineer Corey Hert said.
At the school zone speed camera at Casino Road, an average of between 50 to 60 violations a day are being logged, Hert said.
The “no-sit/no-lie” buffer zones are special areas where people cannot sit or lie down on city property. The mayor can designate one if there have been multiple qualifying events in the area in a six-month period.
At the full Council meeting, concerns about living conditions near Compass Health were discussed.
A speaker named Alexis raised concerns about drug use, loitering, and emergency responses in her neighborhood. She emphasized the need for better resources and communication from Compass Health. Residents expect proactive measures from local authorities to address safety and health issues.
The 3300 block of Lombard faces unique challenges due to its proximity to the jail and transitional housing, contributing to crime and social issues, Police Chief John DeRousse said. Drug houses and insufficient landlord oversight exacerbate neighborhood problems. However, community members actively engage with law enforcement to report issues, fostering a collaborative environment. The police department aims to balance enforcement with community support, avoiding negative stereotypes.
To address these challenges, proactive policing strategies are being implemented. Area Emphasis Patrols increase police visibility, deterring crime. Discretionary time is utilized for proactive patrols, enhancing community safety. Overtime patrols focus on specific needs, and collaboration with parking enforcement and community bicycle units addresses local issues.
Police Captain Kevin Fairchild’s initiative to concentrate police patrols in the area has improved the block of Lombard to see a significant enhancement in safety and reduction in crime. This effort combines visible police presence with proactive measures and collaboration with parking enforcement, community bicycle units, and social workers to address local issues effectively. Over a four-week period, officers identified 948 vehicles potentially violating parking laws, issued 20 red tags for potential towing, and issued 230 parking citations. Community engagement has also increased, with 225 community-initiated calls for service in the targeted area and 918 additional calls from a two-block radius between July and October. Notably, calls for service decreased from 395 in September to 250 in October, indicating improved community safety and reduced criminal activity.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is also a strategic approach to reducing crime opportunities by modifying the environment. Key CPTED strategies include improving lighting and visibility to deter criminal activity. Enhancing lighting in dark areas can significantly boost public safety, while tree trimming can improve sightlines and eliminate hiding spots.
The block watch program encourages property owners to maintain their trees, enhancing visibility and safety. Residents have expressed concerns about dark areas that attract undesirable behaviors, emphasizing the need for community-driven solutions. Collaboration with local stakeholders, such as Compass Health, is crucial for developing targeted action plans.
At the full Council meeting, the Hazard Mitigation Plan was also introduced, which aims to reduce future disaster impacts by identifying risks and implementing measures to enhance community resilience. The plan includes city initiatives, a water resiliency study, public safety enhancements, and tsunami planning. The water resiliency study assesses vulnerabilities in the city’s water infrastructure, while public safety initiatives improve oil spill response capabilities and disaster response training.
Transportation issues during disasters need attention, including alternative routes and evacuation plans. Mental health considerations are crucial, requiring integration into disaster response plans and community outreach.
Tsunami planning and response efforts include National Weather Service alerts, evacuation signage, and community outreach. A proposed fiber optic loop aims to enhance emergency communication.
