Pasadena Councilmember Rick Cole Announces “Safety Walk” Focusing on Washington Boulevard

Pasadena City Councilmember Rick Cole will lead his first in-person constituent event since taking office in December, focusing on pedestrian and traffic safety concerns along Washington Boulevard. The March 2nd “Walk and Talk” event comes in response to recent traffic incidents, including a fatal motorcycle collision and a separate crash that damaged an apartment building.

“Unless we are willing to continue to accept preventable deaths and injuries, we need to address these issues citywide with a comprehensive approach of education, enforcement and re-engineering,” Cole said.

Cole emphasized that “Traffic speed enforcement can have only limited impact on a street that is designed for speeds well above the posted limits.”

According to Cole, Washington Boulevard, “the major east-west thoroughfare between Orange Grove and the northern city limits, has become a four-lane expressway, putting the lives of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists at risk.”

The safety concerns were highlighted by a recent tragedy when a 44-year-old Pasadena man on a motorcycle died following a collision with a vehicle at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Boulevard. According to Pasadena Police Lieutenant Matt Campeau, the incident occurred at 3 p.m., with the victim sustaining major injuries and being transported to Huntington Hospital in critical condition where he later died.

Cole, who represents District 2, noted another serious incident occurred recently: “A block away, a car ran up a hill and demolished the front wall of an apartment just three months ago.”

Cole discussed speed and safety concerns with District 2 residents throughout his campaign.

“It’s time for a serious community dialogue about how to reduce speeds, particularly in the stretch between Lake and Hill avenues which has neighborhood businesses, a library and public elementary school, along with resident houses and apartments.”

As a member of the Municipal Services Committee, Cole announced: “I will call for our Police and Transportation Departments to report on the conditions and potential remedies for the speeds on Washington Boulevard.”

The one-hour community walk will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Gladstone Donut House, located at 1332 N. Lake Ave., and conclude at Lavender and Honey. Residents, along with their friendly dogs, are invited to participate in the walk and subsequent discussion about improving street safety, with coffee and additional time to discuss next steps at Lavender and Honey.