City of Rainier takes steps to curb vandalism at Wilkowski Park

In a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, Rainier Mayor Robert Shaw and Public Works Supervisor Theron Perry discussed the steps they’ve taken to stop the vandalism at Wilkowski Park.

The two previously discussed the problem at the last council meeting on June 10.
Perry said the public works department has completed repainting at the park’s shelter following the recent vandalism, and is working with the mayor to get more lights and cameras in the area.

“We have purchased the lights, we have one of them installed right now, and that generated a complaint from a local resident,” Perry said. “But since then, we’ve also talked with two other residents on Volesky (Drive) who have talked about the amount of people that are walking around back in the park, and back under the shelter and spend the night. (Clerk-Treasurer Tami Justice) has some video footage of people who are turning the benches over, and spending the night there.”

Perry said the plan was to finish the week working with the electrician to get more lights installed.

“I’m working on getting a quote for a couple more cameras so that we can light that area up and hopefully push the people back from doing any vandalism to the park,” Perry said.
Mayor Shaw indicated last month’s total of $15,000 for the lights and cameras is still the working estimate.

“The lights have been ordered. Theron, I’ve turned it all over to Theron, and he’s doing a great job with that,” Shaw said, adding that Perry doesn’t yet have a price for the cameras.
“If we need to amend (the cost), we’ll talk about that at the next meeting,” Shaw said.
During the new business portion of the meeting, Christe Smith, resident of the Tipsoo Loop community, spoke about an online citizen’s petition for enhanced safety measures around Gehrke Park.

Addressed to the Rainier City Council and city officials, the online petition requests a white stop line and the word “stop” to be painted on the pavement at the stop signs at Tipsoo Loop South and Sunrise Lane Southeast, along with a “‘Children at Play’ sign and/or solar-powered flashing stop sign near Gehrke Park.”

Additionally, the petition requests the installation of “temporary or permanent speed control devices, such as speed bumps, curb extensions, or planters.” Finally, the petition requests a “formal traffic study and safety audit of the park-adjacent intersection.”

As of Monday, July 14, the online petition has garnered 34 verified signatures.

Smith, who described herself as a transportation coordinator, referenced an unofficial traffic report she conducted at the Gehrke Park intersection of Tipsoo Loop and Sunrise Lane using her security camera, saying that 34 percent of drivers “didn’t even acknowledge the stop signs” when driving through during the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. She added that the intersection “affects everybody,” noting that school buses stop there. It is also frequented by families, kids and pedestrians walking their dogs.

“The park is becoming more and more popular, and so it’s definitely becoming a serious issue,” Smith said.

Smith also mentioned the increased volume of traffic due to vehicles using Tipsoo Loop as a bypass of state Route 507.

The Rainier resident thanked the city for painting “the white lines instantly” at the stop signs after the online petition was posted, saying it led to a “noticeable change.” She also thanked the city for putting up new speed signs, while still requesting “bigger, noticeable park signs” and “slow, children at play” signs.

Smith reiterated the need for — and the effectiveness of — speed humps, saying all the other cities use them, along with smaller communities and businesses.

Prior to Smith addressing the council, Lt. Malcolm McIver spoke to the traffic issues on Tipsoo Loop and the efforts taken by the sheriff’s department, which have included officers running speeding checks.

“And on one day last week on Tipsoo, I think we handed out 10 citations and arrested one driver for driving on a suspended license,” McIver said.

During her address, Smith thanked the sheriff’s department for the traffic stops. After she concluded, Perry said there are additional 25-mph signs that are on the list to be replaced on Tipsoo.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m.