As residents take advantage of warmer weather around town, Issaquah Police Department (IPD) is providing seasonal safety tips to keep everyone safe.
Pedestrian and Bike Awareness
With the sunshine returning and the gloom lifting, people are inspired to get out of the house for walks, bike rides, jogging around Central Park or time outside with their kids.
Be safe while out and about: use sidewalks and crosswalks when available, wear bright or reflective clothing, and make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street. Don’t assume they see you.
Drivers—expect pedestrians, especially near schools and parks. Slow down, come to full stops and keep your eyes on the road.
Abandoned Vehicles and Parking Complaints
As you’re walking around your neighborhood, those vehicles that haven’t moved in a while may start to stand out a bit more. According to Issaquah Municipal Code, vehicles cannot be parked on public streets or lots for more than 24 hours. Cars left longer might be considered abandoned or hazardous and can be impounded.
Any vehicle on a public street with registration expired longer than 45 days is subject to impound under state law.
IPD frequently hears from residents about this topic, and the traffic unit is working to resolve parking and abandoned vehicle issues. Issues can be reported online at issaquahwa.gov/request or by calling the non-emergency number at 425-837-3200.
And yes, if this applies to your sprinter van being converted into a weekend #vanlife camper, make sure to move it every 24 hours or park it on private property.
Motorcycle Awareness
Spring also brings an influx of motorcycles back onto the roadway as they emerge from garages. There’s also a rumor that the IPD traffic unit will be doing the same—just need to get someone to give it a good wash.
Drivers—look twice before turning or changing lanes to ensure there isn’t a motorcycle hiding in your blind spot.
Riders—wear proper protective gear. No, shorts and flip-flops do not count. Ride defensively and assume vehicles don’t see you.
Home and Neighborhood Safety
Spring tends to bring an uptick in door-to-door sales and contractor scams. Verify licenses, avoid paying upfront and report any suspicious activity. Door-to-door salespeople operating in the City of Issaquah must have a business license. It’s completely within your rights to request to see it and to ask them to leave if they cannot provide one. We’re happy to respond and assist as needed.
We’ve also already seen unlicensed food vendors setting up in Issaquah Highlands. These vendors often lack proper business licenses and King County Public Health inspections, which can result in unsafe food handling and serious illness. They also frequently block public sidewalks, making them difficult to navigate. Please report these vendors to IPD and City of Issaquah Code Enforcement.
You may have seen the term “frisk luft” trending online. This is the Scandinavian practice of throwing open all the windows in your home to clear out stale indoor air. As someone with Scandinavian heritage, I can confirm the fresh air is refreshing—just be sure to close and secure your windows when you’re not home to prevent theft. As a friendly reminder, don’t forget to lock the doors on your vehicles and homes as well.
IPD also offers vacation house checks. Visit issaquahwa.gov/IPD to learn more.
Personal Wellness and Awareness
As you soak up some long-awaited Vitamin D and get active again, remember to stay hydrated. Be aware of your surroundings, enjoy our beautiful community, and keep that podcast at a volume where you can still hear the birds—unless it’s my favorite podcast “‘Quah and Order,” with that wonderful IPD podcast host. If that’s what you are listening to, feel free to bump it up a few notches.
If your morning includes hitting the pavement, weights or side-straddle hops, make sure you’re visible and aware of traffic, especially before the rest of Issaquah has its coffee.
Take time to meet your neighbors. Issaquah is full of awesome, friendly people, and you’re likely living next to one of them. Strong connections help monitor the area, promote reporting of suspicious activity and foster community. Plus, a thoughtful neighbor might rescue your package before it disappears.
Spring is a busy season for everyone. By staying aware, looking out for one another and reporting things that don’t seem right, we can all do our part to keep Issaquah safe and a place we love calling home.
