Op-Ed: My Pre-Obituary: A Shoreline Single Mom Waiting to Be Hit
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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| Stay on the paths at the Park at Town Center in Shoreline |
I grew up here. I have lived in Shoreline since 1997. I am 32 years old, a single mother, and a college student. I have watched this city change for decades. So I am asking a direct question: do you care about reporting on the everyday safety issues residents are actually facing?
There is a patch of grass by the Shoreline Police Station, the one decorated with trolley lights during Christmas. It is consistently covered in dog waste.
There is enough dog shit you can make a board game out of it. If you step off that path, there’s a 10 out of 10 chance that you will run into dog shit every 6 inches. This is not just unpleasant. It is a public health issue. Dog feces carry bacteria and parasites that contaminate soil and stormwater runoff. It affects children, other animals, and our shared water system. This is basic civic responsibility and it is being ignored.
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| In 2018 a 20 year old pedestrian was struck and pinned by this vehicle. He survived but with serious injuries. Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire |
Since my car broke down, I have relied on walking and public transportation. Every single time I leave my home or step outside my door, I am almost hit at least once if I do not actively avoid being hit.
I am following the rules as a pedestrian. In just the last few weeks, I have had to actively jump back to avoid being struck. My children have nearly been hit.
This is happening on 175th, 185th, in residential neighborhoods, and in community parking lots.
It happens when crosswalk signals are illuminated. It happens when we are visibly crossing. It happens when drivers simply choose speed over human life.
There has not been a single walk where I have not had to avoid a moving vehicle.
This is not hyperbole. This is daily reality.
If a resident is struck and killed, it will be framed as a tragedy. But what about the pattern leading up to it? What about the dozens of close calls? What about the families who live in a constant state of vigilance because drivers refuse to yield?
I raised concerns about expired tabs years ago. At the time, it was dismissed. Now it is newsworthy. So again, what qualifies as important enough to report? Does someone have to die first?
If you conducted a poll of pedestrians in Shoreline, I suspect many would report similar experiences. The issue is widespread and visible.
Pedestrians have the legal right of way in crosswalks. That is not optional. It is law. More importantly, it is basic human decency.
My life has value. My children’s lives have value. The lives of people walking in the cold, using public transportation, or crossing parking lots have value. Convenience does not outweigh that.
I am asking you to report on pedestrian safety enforcement, traffic patterns on 175th and 185th, crosswalk compliance, and the broader culture of disregard toward people who are not inside a vehicle.
This is not about being politically correct. It is about whether everyday residents matter enough to be heard before a preventable death makes headlines.
Respectfully,
A lifelong Shoreline resident
Lindsay Burke
There has not been a single walk where I have not had to avoid a moving vehicle.
This is not hyperbole. This is daily reality.
If a resident is struck and killed, it will be framed as a tragedy. But what about the pattern leading up to it? What about the dozens of close calls? What about the families who live in a constant state of vigilance because drivers refuse to yield?
I raised concerns about expired tabs years ago. At the time, it was dismissed. Now it is newsworthy. So again, what qualifies as important enough to report? Does someone have to die first?
If you conducted a poll of pedestrians in Shoreline, I suspect many would report similar experiences. The issue is widespread and visible.
Pedestrians have the legal right of way in crosswalks. That is not optional. It is law. More importantly, it is basic human decency.
My life has value. My children’s lives have value. The lives of people walking in the cold, using public transportation, or crossing parking lots have value. Convenience does not outweigh that.
I am asking you to report on pedestrian safety enforcement, traffic patterns on 175th and 185th, crosswalk compliance, and the broader culture of disregard toward people who are not inside a vehicle.
This is not about being politically correct. It is about whether everyday residents matter enough to be heard before a preventable death makes headlines.
Respectfully,
A lifelong Shoreline resident
Lindsay Burke
Posts
34 comments:
You're not wrong; it's not just Shoreline (I live in the south end); and absolutely it needs to be addressed. A friend once described post-pandemic drivers as "feral," and I think that's a good word for it. In the long term, we need to be working on basic traffic civility. But in the short term, I'll settle for a lot more ticketing.
Agree 10O %. I ride my bike and run in shoreline on paths and streets. Drivers ignore crosswalks almost every time I’m out. We tried to get speed bumps installed on our street and were denied.
If people are being hit by simply walking in parking lots, wouldn't that make the news - you had to go back to 2018 to find the example in your photo. Or it might feature in the traffic surveys. But here's what this months Shoreline Currents says, reporting on the 2024 traffic survey: "What the data from the 2024 Traffic Report shows: Overall crashes are trending down. Fatal and serious injury crashes dropped sharply in 2024, reaching near a 10-year low after a record high in 2023.... Pedestrian crashes decreased compared to last year and show a downward trend over 10 years."
Wholeheartedly agree!
I wholeheartedly agree with Lindsay’s letter.
I’ve lived in Shoreline for 24 years, I’m a mother of three, and I walk here often. While I’m grateful for the improvements our city has made, especially with the trail system, I also agree that many intersections still feel unsafe for pedestrians. I have had close calls myself, even when crossing legally.
There are also crosswalks where, if you miss the walk button, you are forced to wait through another long cycle, which can be frustrating and unsafe. In addition, the trail needs more care and respect - more garbage cans, better maintenance, and more attention to safety.
I appreciate the many people who use these spaces every day, from families to seniors to students. Shoreline has a lot to be proud of, but we can do better when it comes to walkability, cleanliness, and public safety.
Thank you, Lindsay, for speaking up. I agree, and I would be glad to be part of the solution.
Pedestrian safety is a very valid concern - building more sidewalks would help this tremendously in my opinion.
I was born in nearby Northwest Hospital and grew up in the Shoreline area since 1973. I used to walk the streets of Shoreline everyday... from my home near the old Cromwell Park (Now court house) to Richmond Beach and all points in between and from Aurora Village (back when it was a mall) to the Sears on 155th. When I was really young we lived in the Highlands and my mother and I would walk from our house to Fred Meyer along Richmond Beach Rd.... that's the only road that ever scared me (And I was 5) in Shoreline.... the fuel tanker trucks would roar past on their way from Pt Wells. The sidewalks in Shoreline were so safe. I hate Shoreline now, all the single family homes are disappearing and these multi family monstrosities are popping up in their place. I moved out of Shoreline about 5 years ago and I will never move back.
I both walk a lot and see dog shit in a lot of places. Drivers are often distracted and 175th is very dangerous. I pick up my dog waste and am often carrying a full poop bag. Maybe there could be some kind of nerf style gun that is loaded with dog poop - ideally just picks it up in lumps. Then we could plaster the dangerous cars with dog poop!!!! I usually just yell expletives at the cars, but it would be so much more satisfying to throw poop at them.
Speed Limit on 17th 30 MPH. Average Speed 45-50.
I live on 145th and 30th Avenue. I got t-boned in that intersection as I was crossing 30th Avenue going towards Lake City Way. The guy who hit me went to jail because I was his 6th victim. His license was revoked a long time ago, but his employer (business partner) let him go behind the wheel driving the company truck. There are remnants of broken car parts in that intersection every now and then because most of the vehicles on 145th are driving way over the speed limit on either direction. Speed limit is a mere suggestion to most people.
Excellent points. I was nearly run down by a night driver coming out of RB Saltwater Park. After nearly hitting me, he slammed on his brakes, looped around the block and sped by me again, clearly getting a kick out of scaring me. He probably lit up at the bluff parking area prior to getting behind the wheel. Cops? What's a cop?
Sharing link for reporting: Traffic Complaint | City of Shoreline https://share.google/ns901t5dawZmsP1WM
Do we know the city ordinance for pet waste? Sounds like a great way to generate revenue with fines.
Yes, in crosswalk in front ofTrader Joe's at 175th I was almost run over. So scared
Thank you for sharing, Lindsay. I agree 100%. The city of Shoreline is dropping the ball regarding any type of enforcement along the Aurora corridor. Another issue is permitting the homeless take refuge on the curb Extensions along the centerline at the crosswalks at 160th 175th and 185th. They are highly distracting to the motorists as they pass by and they step off the curb into live lanes all the time. It is only a matter of time before one of them is hit or there is a severe accident as a motorist tries to avoid impacting the person. Liability lies on the city of Shoreline.
As a fellow long time resident (since 1982) now raising my family and opening a small business, I’d like to echo these concerns. Namely, the short-sighted assignment of the strip of land next to Aurora and the city hall as our “town center”. I get that Shoreline faces geographic challenges when it comes to creating community spaces that can serve both the east and west sides of I5, but no family wants to bring their kids out to play near a busy highway. This is why I chose not to attend the shore-lights celebration last year and don’t plan to in the future. We need to do better for our community members and their safety.
I totally concur! I ride the bus and light rail, I walk and I ride the bus and I drive. I can be in a crosswalk with a light and I have to be vigilant about cars turning - they are trying to beat oncoming traffic and don't notice me until they start their turn. Oops!
Interestingly, when I walk with my dog, men in trucks are more often to stop and let us cross than any other driver. I've had Shoreline Police fail to stop for me when I'm attempting to cross. Someone explained that a driver does not have to stop until I step off the curb - don't know if that is true or not, but I can be off the curb, in the roadway, and cars will drive by until there is enough of a line of backed-up traffic for a red light that they give me space to cross. I can crossing the southbound lane and a driver will zoom past in the northbound lane a few feet in front of me. If Shoreline would hire a couple of motorcycle police to enforce speeding and other traffic infractions, the city would be rolling in so much $$ they could have a diamond-encrusted community swimming pavilion.
RE: Op-Ed, Pre-Obit by Lindsay Burke on 3/17/2026.
Lindsay, I hear you loud and clear on Shoreline code enforcement issues regarding dogs, cars and pedestrians. I feel your pain! I was almost hit by a car last week in the intersection of Dayton and Carlyle Rd. I have been a resident of Shoreline for over 60 years. And it has only gotten worse since the city incorporated in 1995.
You are spot on that the issues you address are "law," but if you complain about it the City will simply dismiss/ignore you. With human decency dramatically decaying over the past 5 decades there are just too many jerks outnumbering the non-jerks. I am convinced that Shoreline government is aware of all the issues you mention but they are either incapable or too lazy to rein it in. Don't look for help from the Customer Response Team.
The Good News is I am a retired person with nothing to do. If you would feel comfortable with it I can certainly offer you a car ride when needed from time to time. You let me know.
Mark Scott
South Richmond Highlands
Easy fix. Cops walking a beat. Two-by-two, swinging their nightsticks. That used to be de riguer in US cities - uniformed "Officer Friendlies." When you are walking, you get to know "the lay of the land," and the people who inhabit it - a perspective you cannot get flying by in a police cruiser. The results? Crime plummets. Streets are safer.
Re: Lauren ("Town Center" comment above). I 100% agree. The "town center" location is a mistake...hanging out next to a highway is not enjoyable.
Thank you for the letter Lindsay. You're right about pedestrian safety in Shoreline. The city could be doing a lot more to improve things.
Shoreline PD needs to get serious and really start enforcing traffic laws. Pull over and ticket even minor infractions. Will nab some folks with outstanding warrants along the way. Also, stop the apartmentalization of Shoreline. Single family homes are lived in longer by the same folks than apartment dwellers. This fosters a sense of community.
I have nearly been hit too. I now wear reflective clothing and watch everything. Obviously, I try to walk where there are few cars.... I actually worry about being hit in parking lots as well. We just don't have that many walkers in this area - so I choose to light myself up in any way I can. I'll be the one to lose, even if I'm not at fault and may never be able to walk again...
To be fair: when walking wear something reflective people! It is dark and raining and you are prancing around in a black hoodie, black pants and black shoes! And you wonder why drivers almost hit you. How hard is it to put apiece of reflective tape on your sleeve? Better than in a ditch or sprawled on the pavement.
"You're not wrong; it's not just Shoreline (I live in the south end)" - just curious why you're reading and commenting (in what seems like an organized campaign) on an article in Shoreline Area News?
An actual sidewalk on the north side of 175th between Midvale and Wallingford, would help. I've been begging for one for 47 years.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻Time to take a political broom to the city a sweep out every elected official.
It sounds like a shoreline police car could sit in this one area and write a bunch of speeding tickets! Where are they all? Why are they not choosing to make awareness of problem?
I agree woth this, but, respectfully, what do expired tabs habe to do with pedestrian safety? It irritates me so much to see how many people don't renew theirs when I pay to renew mine, and I assume there's a greater chance that those same people also don't have an active liability insurance policy. But to remain focused on the actual problems, I think that's something to leave to department of licensing, which clearly doesn't seem to force it anymore
We hand out licenses like candy, refuse to take incompetent and reckless drivers off the streets, and refuse to make even the most basic changes to our roads to improve pedestrian safety.
This is happening all over. I walk from the train station in downtown Seattle to my office three days a week and every single day, some POS almost hits my at the home plate corner of the ballpark. And then has the audacity to honk when the walk sign is on. I love driving, I am a car enthusiast. But they give licenses out like cracker jack toys now. Nobody actually takes responsibility for operating a vehicle. Just a bunch of human trash in a hurry to get where they are going.
I agree. I come from a city with no public transportation and rarely any pedestrians, a place where cars rule the world. You need to be a good pedestrian to be a good driver and visa versa. Pedestrians morally should always have the right of way, but a vehicle will always win in a crash. Be careful out there, stay off your phones and keep your ear pods out while walking and driving. Check your blind spots while driving and as a pedestrian, those silent electric cars are easy to step in front of when there are no sidewalks to walk on.
Great article and spot on. I walk my dog all over Echo Lake area with crossing Meridian and sometimes Aurora to go to Fred Meyer. Though I’ve had extremely consciousness drivers most of the time it’s an epic failure. I’ve almost been hit is a weekly saying.
Your matter on the dog poop could be from the apartments that have recently been put up there. Was there a problem in that area before all this mega apartments were put up? Maybe more garbage cans would help. I know wham waking my dog it’s no fun to carry his poop and I look for garbage cans to use. Occasionally I walk the trail by where you talk but my dog has already done his business so I’ve never paid any attention to this matter but it’s not right. But not all dog owners are responsible but I think the majority are.
As far as not cleaning up dog poop I could counter and say have you seen the soccer fields after a game or event? Many of us that live close by keep that park and the fields clean from all the garbage the humans have left.
I’ll report any incidents I have while walking. I wasn’t aware of being able to do that but now I know.
There is a direct connection between the revved up hot rods that speed out of Richmond Beach Saltwater Park every night and speeding. They are out of control. Daily. Why do we accept ultra loud muffler free cars and speeding?
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