Inquiry for Increased Patrolling by King County Sheriff Office / Kent Police Department

The Issue

The street racing that over the years has taken place in Southwestern King County, WA, specifically in Kent's warehouse district has been well-documented by reputable media outlets. However, the residential area noted in the attached image, delineated by SE 192th street and 148th Ave SE of Renton, and SE 208th street and 108th/104th avenue SE of Kent, WA has for some time become the setting where both high-powered motorcycles and other larger, modified vehicles race and maneuver. Such hazardous and equally high-sounding activities are materializing during the late P.M. and/or early A.M. hours of both weekday and weekend nights, with a noticeable increase on the latter. Neighbors within the above-described area; many whom like myself are head of households with children, have managed to communicate their distress to both emergency and non-emergency contact numbers of the bodies of law enforcement of jurisdiction; King County Sheriff's Office, and Kent Police Department. Nonetheless, in the eyes of the community, there has not been a perceived decrease. Quite contrarily, the racing has intensified, as civilians themselves have clocked speeds of over 100 MPH with the assistance of amateur radar guns. Those same community members have also noticed that even immediately after reporting the risk these activities are obviously posing to their family members, homes and the general public domain, there continues to be a lack in the police presence necessary to dissuade vehicular traffic at such high speeds. The community herein represented is requesting increased patrolling, posting of "No Racing" signs with impending fines, along with the installation of speed zones with surveillance and/or speed bumps in this densely populated area in order to dissuade participants, and subsequently prevent the loss of more lives, specifically on 140th/132nd Ave SE and 148th Ave SE and further damage to public and private property.  

This petition had 114 supporters

The Issue

The street racing that over the years has taken place in Southwestern King County, WA, specifically in Kent's warehouse district has been well-documented by reputable media outlets. However, the residential area noted in the attached image, delineated by SE 192th street and 148th Ave SE of Renton, and SE 208th street and 108th/104th avenue SE of Kent, WA has for some time become the setting where both high-powered motorcycles and other larger, modified vehicles race and maneuver. Such hazardous and equally high-sounding activities are materializing during the late P.M. and/or early A.M. hours of both weekday and weekend nights, with a noticeable increase on the latter. Neighbors within the above-described area; many whom like myself are head of households with children, have managed to communicate their distress to both emergency and non-emergency contact numbers of the bodies of law enforcement of jurisdiction; King County Sheriff's Office, and Kent Police Department. Nonetheless, in the eyes of the community, there has not been a perceived decrease. Quite contrarily, the racing has intensified, as civilians themselves have clocked speeds of over 100 MPH with the assistance of amateur radar guns. Those same community members have also noticed that even immediately after reporting the risk these activities are obviously posing to their family members, homes and the general public domain, there continues to be a lack in the police presence necessary to dissuade vehicular traffic at such high speeds. The community herein represented is requesting increased patrolling, posting of "No Racing" signs with impending fines, along with the installation of speed zones with surveillance and/or speed bumps in this densely populated area in order to dissuade participants, and subsequently prevent the loss of more lives, specifically on 140th/132nd Ave SE and 148th Ave SE and further damage to public and private property.  

The Decision Makers

Rafael Padilla
Rafael Padilla
Kent Police Department Assistant Chief of Command
Responded
Mr. Chains, Thank you for taking the time to bring this issue to our attention. As you noted, we have dealt with illegal street racing in Kent for years. The reckless behavior of those who engage in this illegal activity pose a public safety risk that often results in tragedy. This is an important issue to us and recently we have partnered with several law enforcement agencies, including Renton PD, Auburn PD, Tukwila PD and Washington State Patrol to conduct enforcement emphasis. Prior to this most recent effort, we have implemented large scale enforcement sweeps, educational efforts and engineering solutions, but none of those initiatives have seemed to have had a sustained impact. I can't speak to the racing occurring in Renton, but I can confirm that we do not have verified reports of established street racing in the area of 108th Ave. SE and SE 208th St. I have no doubt that there are cars/motorcycles are speeding through that area and many of those vehicles have illegal modified exhaust systems that make them excessively loud and disruptive. I will get the information in your petition to the officers who are working nights and weekends and to the supervisors who are leading our racing enforcement emphasis. We could use additional information to be more effective in responding. My email address is rpadilla@kentwa.gov. If you could send me a good way to contact you, I'd like to get more specifics and provide you more information. Going forward, I would encourage you and all the community members who signed this petition to call 911 when the racing activity is occurring. I know many don't believe they should use an emergency number to call for help, but it is the best way to get officers to respond and deal with issue as it is occurring. Again, I appreciate you taking a leadership role in trying to address this issue. Hope to hear from you soon. Kent Police Assistant Chief Rafael Padilla
Dan Pingrey
Dan Pingrey
King Co. Sheriff's Chief of Patrol Operations
Pete Von Reichbauer
Pete Von Reichbauer
King Co. Council Chair of Accountability and Oversight Committee
Dana Ralph
Dana Ralph
Kent City Councilmember and Chair of Public Safety Committee
King Co District 9 Staff
King Co District 9 Staff
Legislative Aide for issues pertaining Law enforcement

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Petition created on September 2, 2017