Ask the Edmonds Cop: Pedestrian rules at the fountain intersection

Edmonds Police Sgt. Shane Hawley answers your public safety questions. This week: What are the rules governing pedestrians crossing at the downtown Edmonds fountain intersection?
  1. Thank you for this. Personally, I avoid using this intersection at all, as a driver and a pedestrian. It seems to be an accident waiting to happen situation, as do most intersections along Main street. This one though is not only dangerous, but frustrating. Seems that the fountain and “round-a-bout” situation should be taken out. People that use it correctly, like the 4 way stop that it is, end up sitting partly in the intersection and waiting for pedestrians or other vehicles that don’t head the 4 way stop rules. In lieu of taking out the fountain, maybe we should be installing crosswalk lights and enforcing crosswalk rules for pedestrians.

  2. This past Saturday, I, along with a friend, was crossing Main St. to the Corner where Starbucks is had to stop/wait as a car on 5th turned right when we were half-way across. Immediately following the car was and Edmonds’ Police cruiser turning right (while we were still half-way across the cross-walk). At first, we thought the Police Car may be following the first car to let him know the rules. Alas, we did not see the Police Car do anything but proceed up Main St. So, two cars illegally entering the crosswalk when we were half way across, one a Edmonds Police Cruiser??

    1. Today, I received a phone call from Edmonds Police Chief Al Compaan. It was a very cordial conversation in which the Chief asked me the details about my comment above. I explained to the Chief that one of the reasons I commented was the irony of Teresa’s video with Officer Hawley and having the situation occur ‘right in front of me’ on Saturday. Chief Compaan took the time to find the RCW regarding pedestrians in cross-walks and read it to me. I’m very glad that We, the Citizens of Edmonds, have a Police Department that cares enough to contact us about our concerns.

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