I understand and appreciate the animus generated by thorny issues on our Island concerning traffic, possible performing arts centers in the parks et al. Sometimes, however, I reflect on some of the positive and joyful reasons I originally brought my family to the Island, and what has kept us here for nearly 20 years.
Recently while on my daily morning run, a car barreled through a stop sign near my house. It’s a relatively lightly traveled stretch of road on 40th Street approaching West Mercer and cars frequently pass, sometimes stopping, sometimes slowing and more than occasionally blasting past the stop sign.
The problem is that when someone does walk or run across the street, it can be risky as they expect cars to stop, and many drivers, not expecting the occasional cross traffic or pedestrians, often don’t stop. It is particularly dangerous for people unfamiliar with the intersection who cross in reliance of the sign. I called the Mercer Island police, got through immediately, although unfortunately I can’t remember who I talked with. I told him about the traffic issue and asked if it would perhaps be safer without a stop sign at all so people don’t rely on cars stopping.
The officer was patient, explaining why a stop sign needed to be there because, among other reasons, the street leads down to a blind hill, and how removing the sign would just make matters worse. Of course, he was correct. He did say the police would try to monitor the street. The next morning as I ran, I saw a policeman in a car watching the intersection looking for violators.
This may seem like a small thing but the fact that I could get through immediately to the police, that they would be as patient as they were and that they immediately did their best to try to remediate the situation was really gratifying, and I don’t think that in any other place I’ve lived I would have experienced the kind of concern, attention and response that I did at that traffic intersection.
Sometimes it’s easy to overlook the good parts of living here on Mercer Island.
Steven Schickler
Mercer Island