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LITTLE LEAGUE | The Renton Little League sweeps both divisions at tournament [19] AWARD | The City of Renton was recognized with a national ‘Livability Award’ this week. [Page 6]
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015
City focuses on enforcement of fireworks ban New strategy will deploy teams geographically based on call data analysis BY BRIAN BECKLEY bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
A Renton Police Officer facilitates a discussion among a diverse group of participants during the group section of the Teen Summit this past Saturday at Renton High School. Approximately 85 people attended the meeting. Below, a teen wears an “I MATTER” shirt. BRIAN BECKLEY, Renton Reporter
Clergy, youth and police come together to for honest discussion of race issues in city BY BRIAN BECKLEY bbeckley@rentonreporter.com
of the SKY Urban Empowerment Center and director of the REACH Center of Hope. “This is not just a black issue; this is
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[ more SUMMIT page 10 ]
Downtown partnership gathers input BY TRACEY COMPTON tcompton@rentonreporter.com
Renton resident Jean Ragland tries to keep all of her shopping local and doesn’t frequent The Landing and Southcenter, nor downtown Seattle if she can help it. She wants to be able to meet all of her needs in downtown Renton, but she’s having trouble doing so. “I would like to, as everybody else, see it revitalized into businesses that could complete the consumer circle rather than just the antique stores and the pawn stores,” [ more DOWNTOWN page 13 ]
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This past weekend’s Teen Summit to discuss relations between the AfricanAmerican community and police officers may have begun with a prayer to make us “one Renton” and ended with everyone taking a deep breath, but in between there were open, frank discussions and honest pleas for understanding from both sides. Hosted by the City of Renton and a group of African-American clergy members, the summit sought ways to bridge gaps and improve relationships between minority teens and the police force following several high-profile incidents around the country such as in Ferguson, Mo., or Baltimore. “This is the beginning of many opportunities when we will come together as a community,” said Dr. Linda Smith, pastor
a community issue.” Approximately 85 people of all races and ages attended the summit, held at Renton High School, including pastors, teens, city officials, police officers and members of the community. Police Chief Kevin Milosevich opened the proceedings talking about the “disconnect” that has developed between law enforcement and some members of the community, particularly young people, calling it a “crisis of law enforcement.” Milosevich said that Renton’s diversity continues to increase and though there have been no real problems in Renton, he said he has had discussions over the past several months and knows that public, especially young people, has lost some trust in law enforcement. “Without public trust, we can’t do our job,” he said. “It only takes a few incidents
The Renton Fire Department will be stepping up its fireworks ban enforcement this year and has a new strategy to help quiet the booms that regularly ring out this time of year, despite the illegality. Fireworks have been banned in Renton since 2005 thanks to a voter initiative that outlawed the explosive devices. But each year, police and fire officials still receive hundreds of 911 calls about fireworks. Last year, for example, the fire department responded to 128 fireworks-related incidents. In 2013, there were 100 calls. According to Renton Fire Marshal Angela St. John, this year, the fire department is creating three enforcement teams that will be deployed to specific geographic areas that have seen a large number of enforcement calls in the past. [ more FIREWORKS page 14 ]