.com
CRIME BLOTTER | Boyfriend bites woman’s neck. Plus: Police pursuit ends in crash [2]
VOL. 15, NO. 2
Mirror
F E D E R A L WAY
division of Sound Publishing
OPINION | Roegner: The new ‘bipartisan’ coalition in Olympia [4] Guest column: If I were the Czar of Federal Way [4] CALENDAR | Federal Way Symphony presents its annual concert for tots [6, 14] MLK CELEBRATION | A new local tradition to honor King’s legacy starts this year [7]
SPORTS | Beamer girls basketball team FRIDAY, JAN. 11, 2013 | 50¢ stays unbeaten in the SPSL South [15]
Traffic cameras reduce collisions Most violations are committed by non-FW residents By GREG ALLMAIN gallmain@fedwaymirror.com
Federal Way Police Chief Brian Wilson said the city’s traffic camera enforcement program is having its intended effect of increasing safety at various intersections and school zones throughout the city. Likewise, most redlight and school zone violations are committed by non-residents of Federal Way. “From 2009-2011…we have seen reductions in collision events at these intersections following the implementation of the camera systems,” said Wilson as he reviewed the program during the city council’s Jan. 2 meeting. According to statistics compiled by FWPD, between 2009-11 there was a 47 percent reduction in collisions at the intersection of South 348th Street and Enchanted Parkway. At the intersection of 320th Street and Pacific Highway South, there was a 58 percent reduction in collisions. At 312th Street and Pacific Highway, there was a 13 percent reduction. Between 2010 and [ more CAMERAS, p. 8 ] NEWSPAPER RACKS: To see a list of rack locations for the print edition of The Mirror, visit federalwaymirror.com/about_us.
GRADUATION | According to recent data, 70.2 percent of students graduate in FW [9]
Schools reject idea of armed teachers By GREG ALLMAIN gallmain@fedwaymirror.com
In the wake of the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., the debate has raged on how to better protect the nation’s children.
For some, stricter gun control laws appear to be the answer. Others want to make sure that teachers and administrators are armed and properly trained with firearms. For Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent
Rob Neu, the choice is clear: There will be no discussion on arming FWPS teachers or NEWS administrators. Neu shared his thoughts during the Jan. 8 school board meeting. “I hate this conversation,
UPDATE
I hate that it’s a necessary evil,” Neu began. “What happened in Newtown… is just horrible. And having young children at home, and sitting and watching the TV, and seeing those photos with the names being called…with your children in the room, look-
ing at the TV, and looking at you, and you’re fighting back the tears. You’re so thankful they’re sitting in that living room with you, and you’re not one of those parents. I can’t imagine what those parents feel like.” [ more TEACHERS, p. 23 ]
City urges legislators to combat theft and liquor tax 2013 agenda includes downtown sewer repairs, tourism, development By ANDY HOBBS editor@federalwaymirror.com
Federal Way announced its annual wish list to 30th District state legislators. The 2013 legislative agenda declares Federal Way’s priorities for state funding and related legislation. Agenda items include copper wire theft, liquor taxes, tourism, sewers, a performing arts center and freeway construction. Newly-elected State Reps. Roger Freeman (D) and Linda Kochmar (R), along with State Sen. Tracey Eide (D), participated in public discussions Tuesday with Mayor Skip Priest and Federal Way City Councilmembers Jeanne Burbidge, Jim Ferrell and Susan Honda.
Liquor money
Federal Way is calling on legislators to restore liquor excise tax revenue sharing. In 2011, voters privatized liquor sales in an initiative that overhauled the way liquor revenues are doled out to cities and counties. The money primarily goes to fund
Above: On Dec. 17, the Multi-Service Center in Federal Way reported that unknown suspects wrecked the HVAC system and cut and stole all the copper pipes and wiring. Right: The city’s hotel-motel tax revenue helped bring the U.S. Olympic Diving Trials to town. Federal Way’s hotel-motel tax money is at stake in 2013. FILE PHOTO public safety. In 2012, the state House passed a bill (ESHB 2823) that diverts liquor excise taxes to the general fund. As a result, Federal Way loses about $450,000 a year, which equates to the cost of employing four police officers, the city reports. On that note, the privatization of liquor has led to more liquor-related crimes, particularly with theft. Federal Way supports a proposal by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs that establish requirements for retailers to report liquor theft along with the quantity of liquor that was stolen. The goal is to reduce the burden of liquor-related incidents on police
and retailers. In the upcoming legislative session, Sen. Eide said she expects a similar proposal from retailers regarding liquor theft.
Copper wire theft
Federal Way reports a loss of $110,000 last year because of copper wire theft. Despite metal theft legislation in 2007, 2008 and 2012,
theft has increased along with prices for scrap metal. The stolen metal is difficult to track, and organized crime rings may be involved. City officials are pushing for legislation that strengthens enforcement and prevention, whether through tougher penalties or higher license fees for metal recyclers who [ more LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, p. 14 ]