FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2018
City of Renton Contact
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
City Launches Comprehensive Initiative to Enhance Safety and Clean-up Efforts Downtown
Increased Police Presence; Enforcement; Shared Responsibility of Downtown Businesses and Organizations; High-tech Solar-Powered Compactor Trash Cans; Dedicated hotline 425-430-7373
RENTON, WA -- The City of Renton has implemented a comprehensive approach to enhance cleanup efforts in downtown Renton that is coordinated across all city departments, involving residents, businesses, and community groups.
“Over the years we’ve made a significant investment in our downtown and now we’re stepping it up even further,” said Mayor Denis Law. “Revitalization of downtown Renton has been a city priority for many years. The city has invested tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure and other improvements and more dollars are being committed. Private developers are also investing hundreds of millions of dollars in downtown Renton.”
One of the key priorities of the emphasis is to increase the safety and the perception of safety downtown. The goal is to encourage businesses, residents and community members to work together and keep downtown safe and secure. Renton Police Department will increase patrols in downtown Renton, and the city will administer no trespass orders to those violating the laws and continue to aggressively enforce code compliance complaints.
“This is a comprehensive effort,“ said Law. "Visible police presence can enhance the sense of safety. On the one hand we’re increasing the positive interaction our police officers have with the community downtown and on the other we are also increasing our enforcement efforts. We will also be working with businesses to take steps to reduce crime.”
Businesses will be encouraged to install motion-activated lights and private security cameras, and report security concerns issues to the Renton Police Department immediately.
“Recently we were able to apprehend a burglar at a downtown business thanks to a timely call and information gathered from a private security camera,” said Police Chief Kevin Milosevich. “By installing a security camera at your business, you can help prevent crimes and in the event of a break-in help the police identify and arrest a burglar.
The program also focuses on the removal of trash, litter, abandoned shopping carts, and graffiti, as well as making improvements to the sidewalks and landscaping. The city will work with volunteers and neighborhood groups, dispose of litter on designated days, perform weekly sidewalk and street sweeps, and pressure wash downtown sidewalks. A dedicated hotline, 425-430-7373, has also been established to report issues.
The city will also collaborate with the Renton Chamber of Commerce and the Renton Downtown Partnership. These two groups will have a key role to play in educating and encouraging their members to take responsibility, potentially hire a coordinator or service to pick-up litter on a regular basis, and participate in the comprehensive safety and clean-up efforts.
The city is partnering with King County Metro to install high-tech. solar-powered compactor trash cans in the downtown transit center. These trash cans prevent birds, rodents and other scavengers from scattering trash on the ground.
“We all have to work together to make sure our downtown continues to be vibrant and successful and this is a good time to notch-up the efforts of local businesses and property owners,” said Law. “A major part of the initiative focuses on collaboration and holds the business community and property owners accountable for their properties and being good stewards. Everybody is going to have some skin in the game.”
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About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 102,700 (2017), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and their families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks, and the eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website, or Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
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