City seeks feedback on Lock It or Lose It campaign

The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) has been seeking to reduce the number of residential burglaries on the Island.

Almost half of all home burglaries here annually are at homes that leave their doors and windows unlocked.

MIPD designed a “Lock-It-or-Lose-It” campaign to encourage residents to lock doors and windows when away from home, and distributed doorknob hangers Island-wide this spring by mail and at events, to serve as a useful reminder.

Now, the city is following up with a simple, anonymous, one-minute survey to see how residents responded. You can take the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/doortag.

Learn more about the Lock-It-or-Lose-It Campaign at www.mercergov.org/CrimePrevention.

Council signs off on small cell wireless facilities

At its Dec. 5 meeting, the Mercer Island City Council approved a franchise agreement with Crown Castle to license the installation of up to 39 small cell facilities on Puget Sound Energy (PSE) poles throughout the city.

Crown Castle, on behalf of T-Mobile, proposed the small cell facilities as the least intrusive means to close a significant gap in coverage.

The franchise agreement regulates the installation and maintenance of the small cell facilities and establishes locational and design priorities to best minimize any impacts.

The council agreed that residents within 150 feet of the proposed locations will get a notice of application. The Development Services Group (DSG) director said that this would give about 600 people a chance to comment.

Councilmember Dan Grausz said that this conversation could be a precursor to the impending discussion of residential development, and how residents are notified about changes coming to their neighborhoods. He praised the agreement for its protections for the city and community.

The council emphasized that the appearance of the facilities, which will be installed on PSE poles, should be minimized and not affect views or trees in the area.

Councilmember Wendy Weiker, who works for PSE, recused herself from the vote to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, and Councilmember Dave Wisenteiner was absent for the vote.