I have to say I have some very mixed opinions of all the new Renton school-zone, red-light cameras. I definitely agree that speeding through school zones during school hours is a very dangerous and irresponsible act. Matt Cottum, a childhood friend of mine, was killed when we were in third grade back in the 1980s. Unfortunately, Renton is not using these new speed zones near schools, such a Talbot Elementary and McKnight Middle schools, to save such incidents.

Recently my wife received a ticket by driving by Talbot Elementary School at 5:45 at night. The ticket was mailed to me with a stated time of 4:15, over one hour off. To make things worse, the ticket said “26 mph in a 20 mph zone,” which is incorrect since the speed limit is only 20 mph when school is in session.

Maybe we should concentrate on the safety in our community as a whole instead of wasting resources and the time of the Renton Police with such matters. Interesting enough right next to McKnight I had a friend who died in a murder in 2001. There was another gang shooting around the same time on Edmonds where three teenagers where shot (1998). There was also a double murder off Union Avenue last week. I don’t find it a surprise that all of the above-mentioned events happened in middle- and lower- income neighborhoods. Quit taking money from us, City of Renton council. We already pay tons of taxes to you! I only see the police driving through rich neighborhoods like Summerwind and Stonegate. We deserve to reap the benefits of your robbery for incorrectly timed speed zone camera traps as well. I am proud to grow up in a blue-collar neighborhood and the fact that I now live in a new development. We don’t need the police in my neighborhood. We need forces in the neighborhoods where there are problems.

Aaron Bishop

Renton

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