Word goes out on school zone speeds

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 25, 2005 | 11:13 a.m.

The police cars, motorcycle officers, television news trucks and flashing yellow lights were all indications that something was happening outside Kahre Elementary School.

But that didn't stop at least four motorists Wednesday from zipping by, well above the posted speed limit of 25 mph, a fact that left Kahre Principal Glenda Plaster shaking her head.

Kahre, located near the intersection of West Cheyenne Avenue and North Cimarron Road, was chosen for the Clark County School District's annual traffic safety event because of the high volume of traffic in the fast-growing community.

"It's like this every day," Plaster said. "More new homes mean more people, more cars, more traffic."

As students from Kahre and the adjacent campus of Eisenberg Elementary School demonstrated the proper techniques for crossing busy streets, Metro Traffic Officer Steve Moore pulled over speeding cars and issued stern warnings. The 25 mph limit doesn't officially take effect until school is back in session Monday, Moore said.

"We're just trying to wake people up now before the kids are really out there walking," Moore said.

Speeding in a school zone is a double penalty, with a minimum ticket cost of $360, Moore said.

Matthew Prince, 13, who will attend Molasky Middle School this year, said he's had several close calls where speeding cars ignored crossing guards even when he and his classmates were already in the street.

Matthew occasionally escorts his younger siblings home from Eisenberg: 10-year-old brother Jonathan, 8-year-old sister McKenzie and youngest brother Jacob, who starts kindergarten this year.

"Sometimes they get scared by the cars," Matthew said. "I tell them to stop at the corner, look both ways and wait for the (crossing) guard to say it's OK."

His mother, Hillary Prince, said she tries to escort her children to and from school but sometimes relies on Matthew to lead the pack.

"He knows I want him to walk straight home and no talking to strangers," Prince said.

Mark Johnson, a driving trainer in the district's transportation department, said he wanted to reassure parents who send their children to school via bus.

The district's drivers undergo rigorous training both in the classroom and behind the wheel, Johnson said.

"It's more than just jumping in, learning left and right and then you're out picking up kids," Johnson said. "School buses are the safest mode of transportation in the United States right now."

The district is currently looking for additional bus drivers for the upcoming school year. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and pay starts at $13.73 per hour. For more information call 855-5489.

Metro is also looking for about 20 additional crossing guards to work one hour each morning and one hour each afternoon at school locations throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Crossing guards are paid about $17 per day. For more information call 229-3446.