City of Spokane wants to buy ‘Slow the Flock Down’ signs to slow drivers

SPOKANE, Wash. — The City of Spokane is on a mission to grab attention with eye-catching signs designed to get drivers to hit the brakes and slow down in neighborhoods.

City Council will vote next week on a resolution to purchase “Slow the Flock Down” signs that residents can display in their yards. The $6,000 initiative has generated mixed reactions about whether the message is appropriate.

“We have the whole dictionary to pick from, find another synonym,” said Cheri Loveland, who opposes the signage. “We’re an educated society. We do not have to go to those words. We do not have to go to that level.”

The signs feature wordplay that raises questions about how parents would explain the message to their children. Some people argue the message is inappropriate, while others insist it’s just good humor.

“I think it’s a funny play on words,” said Jon Snyder, the Director of Transportation and Public Safety. “I think, the folks that I’ve talked to agreed. And they love the association with the birds.”

Loveland compared the signs’ impact to unpleasant medicine, saying “it’s like taking some medicine that sticks with you for awhile it’s not a good taste.”

City officials defend the approach as necessary in an attention-grabbing world.

“We need to influence people’s choices,” said Jon Snyder, Director of Transportation & Sustainability.

The city initially planned to purchase traditional neighborhood traffic signs. Instead, they wanted something that sparks conversation, and these signs undeniably accomplish that goal.

Local sign makers have mixed views on the effectiveness and appropriateness of the controversial messaging.

“It’ll slow people down to read it. But they could also run into the post where they’re reading it,” said Kurt Schmierer, owner of Instant Sign Factory Spokane.

However, Schmierer believes the attention-grabbing approach serves a purpose in today’s environment.

“I think people can take offense to anything. But if they get the fun and get the reason why you’re trying to get the information out or get people to notice, I think it is what’s needed nowadays,” Schmierer said.

Spokane isn’t the first city in the state to pursue these signs. Seattle has similar signage with the same message.

If the resolution passes next week, residents can visit the 311 desk at City Hall to obtain signs for their yards. City officials hope the signs will end up in locations like school zones where slowing traffic is particularly important.