Community Corner

Your Views: Increased Patrols at Renton Transit Center

We want to know what you think. Is crime an expected facet of transit centers in general? Would these conduct-focused patrols make the experience of riding a bus more pleasant for you? Would you feel safer?

The Renton Police Department announced in late May that emphasis patrols targeting public conduct would begin in earnest at the Renton Transit Center this week - in part coinciding with the better weather and more foot traffic.

KIRO reported that officers were out posting notices reminding citizens that offenses including littering, loitering, biking and smoking would earn an initial warning this week and if the behavior continues, citations could be issued as early as next week. A department representative indicated a violator could also be booked for one of these offenses, in accordance with the state's Unlawful Transit Conduct statute (RCW 9.91.025).

The enforcement was welcome by some, but KOMO spoke with one rider who thought the effort was overkill and very subjective. "...they stop who they want to stop," he said. 

Comments from Patch readers indicate a similarly cynical view so far. In this story announcing the increased patrols, GhostsinRenton shared, "...We have had several zero tolerance directives. Every person, regardless of the person, to be cited for any and every infraction onviewed. This is the way we handle crimes, but [sic] citing citizens that need to use the transit center. Jaywalkers, litterers, spitting on the sidewalk, you name it, we cite it."

Meanwhile, Phyllis Forister said the city erred in placing the transit center in its current location and should have placed it on Grady Way. "Transit Centers are not an 'enhancement' for neighborhoods or downtowns," she wrote.

Comment: We want to know what you think. Is crime an expected facet of transit centers in general? Would these conduct-focused patrols make the experience of riding a bus more pleasant for you? Would you feel safer?
 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here