My son attends McKnight Middle School. He takes the bus in the morning, but I catch a Metro bus at the Park and Ride across the street from the school (north of McKnight on Northeast 16th Street).

Every morning I see parents dropping off students at the Metro bus stop across the street from the school. While this is in violation of the “no stopping” signs posted, I am more concerned about the safety of the kids. Principal Cooper has reminded parents not to do this, but I see it multiple times every morning.

The parents often stop in front of the crosswalk and kids dash out of the car and across the crosswalk. But often cars are passing the stopped vehicles and aren’t able to see the kids obscured by their parent’s stopped car.

It has been a miracle that no child has been struck by a car yet. However, I witness two or three near misses every day. It is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured or killed.

I invite Mayor Law to observe this dangerous situation in the morning, particularly Monday through Thursday. I think you’ll agree that something must be done as soon as possible to protect the students. I suggest either crossing guards, or an enhanced police presence to prevent cars from stopping along 16th Street in front of the crosswalk.

Bill Gembala,
Renton