April 16, 2025
ISSUE 16
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Vision Zero action plan makes debut By The Tacoma Weekly From 2018 to 2022, unincorporated areas of Pierce County experienced 108 fatal crashes and 296 serious injury crashes, underscoring the need for action. On Aug. 30, 2022, the Pierce County Council adopted Resolution No. R2022-118, which, in part, directed the Planning and Public Works Department to prepare a Vision Zero Action Plan to dramatically reduce death and injury on County roadways. After years of work and public outreach by the Planning and Public Works Department, the plan made its legislative debut in the Pierce County Council’s Economic & Infrastructure Development Committee on Tuesday, April 8. The plan’s stated goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on county-owned roads by 2035. First implemented in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has proved successful across Europe and has since been gaining momentum in major American cities. What are called traffic “accidents” can be prevented. County leaders are hopeful that employing a Safe System Approach will help the
COURTESY
A driver going 100 in a 35-mph zone killed Puyallup mom Nina Fournier as she was driving home from Starbucks. county achieve this because it recognizes that human errors are inevitable and instead focuses public efforts on designing and operating roadways that prevent such mistakes from resulting in severe injuries or fatalities in
the first place. Other elements of the plan include alignment with Washington state’s Target Zero Plan and the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Regional Safety Action Plan, ensuring a cohesive
strategy across jurisdictions. Development of the plan involved regular consultations with diverse stakeholders, including county, city, and state agency staff, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, community organizations,
law enforcement, and school districts. The plan utilizes engineering, enforcement, education, and data analysis to identify and address the root causes of traffic incidents, aiming to create safer transportation
systems for all users. Ultimately, the proposed plan appears to emphasize shared responsibility among all road users, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, transportation system owners, and safety partners.
Puyallup’s Danny DeBock making strides in sports broadcasting For DeBock, broadcasting was a career that found him — and once it did, he made Contributing Writer it his mission to say yes to every opportunity PUYALLUP, Wash. — Danny DeBock, a that came his way. local broadcaster from Puyallup, is “I got my start in broadcasting quickly ascending the broadcasting at Central Washington University ladder. He can often be heard calling through their college radio station, local college broadcasts and high 88.1 The ‘Burg KCWU-FM,” DeBock school sports games throughout the said. “I served as the play-by-play South Sound region. voice for CWU’s men’s and women’s “Every game is its own story,” Debasketball teams during the 2019–20 Bock said. “Being on the call for a DeBock and 2021–22 seasons. With me on game is an avenue of showcasing the track to graduate in the spring of journeys the players and teams took to reach 2022, and not knowing where to go after that game. It is a pleasure to watch players college, I made the choice to stay in school and teams at their very best when the lights to call CWU basketball for another season.” shine brighter.” Another opportunity arrived in the By Merrick Parnell
summer of 2022, when he was called into the office at KCWU and informed of an opening for a public address announcer at the university. “I jumped on the offer and became the PA voice for women’s soccer, volleyball and football,” he said. “Through that work, I met Will Gaethle, a member of the SWX broadcast team covering CWU games on TV. He got me in touch with Paul Beattie of the Eli Sports Network (ESN), who had me broadcast 24 volleyball matches during the WIAA 2A–4A tournament that weekend.” From there, DeBock wrapped up his time at CWU as their basketball voice in February 2023. That fall, he had a short stint broadcasting games for the North American Hockey League before returning to the South Sound, where he continued working with the Eli Sports Network. “South Sound games are special since it’s the area I grew up in. Although I have no preference for who wins these days, the South Sound has welcomed me with open arms,” DeBock said. “Regardless of where my broadcast journey takes me, I will always
remember how well I was treated in my original stomping grounds.” Since then, DeBock has become a play-byplay announcer for the University of Puget Sound, calling men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball and lacrosse. He also calls basketball, baseball and softball games for Saint Martin’s University. Though DeBock is known for his versatility, he does have a few favorites. “There is not a doubt in my mind — my favorite sport to work is hockey,” he said. “The pace and energy level of a game can captivate an audience regardless of the score. Football is a close second.” As for the future, DeBock’s plan is to stay flexible and enjoy the ride. “I look forward to exploring my options for my next journey regardless of location,” he said. His advice for aspiring broadcasters: never forget to pay it forward. “Many individuals have invested time, guidance and support into my career,” DeBock said. “The best way to honor that is by giving back—by helping those who follow in your footsteps.”