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Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 | 2 a.m.
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The situation being played out daily at our local high schools as school lets out for the day is an accident, or worse, waiting to happen.
I have had the unfortunate luck, on numerous occasions, to be driving by several different high schools just as the students are getting out at the end of the day.
There are no crossing guards at the crosswalks directly in front of, or in the immediate area of, the high schools. Apparently, it is because the kids are old enough to cross safely on their own. Well, that’s not the case. Kids being kids, especially at that age, don’t have the sense or common courtesy to cross in groups. Therefore there is a constant stream of kids crossing for a good 15-20 minutes right after school gets out.
Naturally, this causes major congestion on the streets in the area, especially directly in front of the schools.
While most drivers patiently, although not happily, wait for the kids to safely cross, I have witnessed numerous times, drivers get angry and honk their horns, yell at the kids (who then yell back), or worse, attempt to zoom through any opening they can find between the kids. If this situation continues in the valley, the outcome can’t be good.
We're shirking our responsibilty if we don't make the crosswalks for our students safe and secure for their passage.
CarmineD
Pretty hard to protect those who ignore the rules of common sense by putting their lives in jeopardy by walking between vehicles, crossing in the middle of thoroughfares or being just plain too lazy to take responsibility for their own safety. Just recently, we have read of adult pedestrians being killed because of rash decisions they made. Teens are even dumber. I know. I was once a teen and I was indestructible and going to live forever. Well, I grew up and don't quite have that view anymore. If they are lucky, they will grow up and change, also.
Due to extreme budget cuts, many, if not most, school crossing guard positions were not filled. What could help protect our children crossing streets? Please consider VOLUNTEERING to do crosswalk duty. Contact your neighborhood school's administrator or area manager, and your services will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Where students are not practicing "common sense" sometimes the adults around them have to prompt them into it, for their own good. Grown ups have that responsibility.
Blessings and Peace,
Star
"Due to extreme budget cuts, many, if not most, school crossing guard positions were not filled. " @ Star
According to news reports, this is not true. Schools had the funds for the crossing guards, just didn't bother to hire and train them for the jobs.
CarmineD
I believe both comments regarding crossing guards are not entirely accurate. The school district does not hire nor train crossing guards. Those positions come under the jurisdiction of the LVMPD (see news release at http://www.lvmpd.com/CommunityPrograms/S...). People cannot volunteer due to liability issues. The slam against the District was unwarranted.
Just thought you'd like to know.
"Those positions come under the jurisdiction of the LVMPD (see news release at http://www.lvmpd.com/CommunityPrograms/S......). "
It's true for January 2013 that the cross guards are subcontractors hired by Metro ....BUT the issue is not lack of money for the crossing guards. At least according to the new accounts, guards were funded. The issue was lack of timely action to hire and train the guards and get them on duty.
CarmineD