Lake Forest Park Council enhances school zone safety with traffic camera success

The City of Lake Forest Park held a special council meeting on May 8, 2025, focusing on pedestrian safety and traffic management in school zones. The meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts of the council and previous administrations to enhance safety measures, particularly around Brookside Elementary and Lakehurst Park Elementary.

A significant point of discussion was the implementation of a traffic camera system, which has reportedly reduced average speeds in the targeted areas from over 31 miles per hour to approximately 23.25 miles per hour. The council emphasized that their success metric is not revenue generation from the cameras but rather the improvement in speed compliance. Any revenue generated is mandated by state law to be allocated towards pedestrian and multimodal safety initiatives.

The council plans to prioritize engineering projects for the two elementary schools, aiming to secure funding through Safe Routes to School grants. Interim safety measures are also being considered, particularly in light of upcoming roadwork by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which is expected to divert traffic and increase congestion in school zones.

Additionally, the council discussed expanding the traffic camera program to enhance safety further. A transportation engineering study is set to be presented to the council soon, which will include recommendations for additional camera placements, particularly in high-traffic areas.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue advocating for lower speed limits on local roads, with the council expressing strong support for a holistic approach to speed management throughout the community. The council's proactive measures aim to ensure the safety of pedestrians, especially children, as they navigate the city’s streets.