KENT, Wash. — Police said a cluster of cameras were installed Wednesday, as promised to neighbors, on a light pole at an entrance to Springwood Park in Kent after recent violence in the area, including an attempted carjacking that ended in gunfire earlier this week.
The cameras were put up a day after KIRO 7 spoke with neighbors at Kent City Hall who were calling on the city to address the violence.
We obtained surveillance video from Monday’s attempted carjacking next to the park that shows the victim dodging bullets as he ran to safety. That man was not hurt but police said a man was shot in Springwood Park last month.
“At least five incidents that have happened in the past 90 days that we know of,” said neighbor Terry Bonet, in an interview with KIRO 7 Tuesday. “Had I known that it was going to be like this, we probably would not have bought in the area.”
Kent police have also promised to assign two bike officers to patrol the Springwood Park area.
“I wouldn’t be out there at night,” said neighbor Sandi Mangus, who saw the police cameras being installed Wednesday.
“Does it make you feel better to have [the cameras] there?” KIRO 7 asked.
“Yes, it does,” said Mangus. “I think it will help.”
Kent police said the cameras at the park were moved from elsewhere in the city because resources are scarce and may help identify people who commit crimes there. Kent’s mayor said there are planned improvements at Springwood Park and that safety measures would be discussed this summer during the planning process.
Investigators have not yet made arrests in the latest shootings in or around Springwood Park and said they believe the suspect in Monday’s attempted carjacking is a minor who is possibly connected to a larger group of underage criminals involved in purse snatchings around Puget Sound.
Cox Media Group
