(VANCOUVER, WA.) -- Vancouver City Council approved an amendment to the city’s pedestrian interference ordinance meant to allow intervention before dangerous behavior leads to injury or death.
Tyler Chavers, Homeless Response Program Manager, presented an ordinance amending Vancouver Municipal Code Section 7.04.020 “Pedestrian Interference” to the council during Monday’s meeting.
Chavers acknowledged the support and efforts of the Vancouver Police Department, City Attorney's Office, Target Zero Program, Washington Traffic Safety Alliance, and many others who have contributed to enhancing the safety of pedestrians, motorists, bicycles, and other roadway users.
Chavers said that currently, pedestrians are not regulated by state law and local ordinances in these spaces, and that this ordinance would support public safety in these dangerous spaces by providing opportunities for early intervention.
“The new ordinance provides for early intervention by prohibiting a person from remaining in spaces that are not intended for pedestrian use and improve safety for all the roadway users,” Chavers said.
Photo Credit: CVTV
“The new ordinance provides a preventative measure rather than reactive ones by closing a gap in the laws and is consistent with the city's transportation safety goals. I believe that it will make Vancouver safer for all by reducing serious injuries and saving lives,” Chavers said.
Chavers goes on to explain what the ordinance does not do.
“The new ordinance does not regulate signage speech. It does not restrict lawful pedestrian crossing or the permitted use of sidewalks or other pedestrian facilities,” Chavers said.
Following the presentation, Todd Boulanger, a Vancouver resident, provided testimony on the ordinance, stating that while the intent is correct, the analysis provided was 'weak.' He noted that there was no direct tie between the existence of a median/island and collision data, except for one case out of 47. He urged the council to conduct more thorough research.
“When you ask for council to make an ordinance, especially one with police powers, you need to do your homework, and secondarily, they can tighten up the language in the ordinance,” Boulanger said.
Public concerns were acknowledged regarding the ordinance's analytical basis and language definitions.
Councilor Ty Stober responded to Boulanger’s spoken and written concerns. He asked that the criticism be taken seriously and urged that the council be open to revisions.
“I am going to ask that this is taken seriously into consideration,” Stober said. “That we look at: what is the true intended purpose, and are we deploying all the necessary tools to hit that intended purpose?”
Councilor Kim Harless recognized the difficulty with definitions and language, but highlighted that the ordinance is about preventing injuries or death.
Photo Credit: CVTV
“I really appreciate proactive approaches because nothing is worse than somebody losing their life. And so that's the way that I've been viewing this,” Harless said.
“The approval of a new Pedestrian Interference ordinance was approved unanimously,” OpGov.news said.
The ordinance grants expanded police powers to proactively manage a dangerous situation.
If you would like to add to this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org or comment below.
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