Parents concerned for students in NE Calgary who face risky walk to school
Posted Dec 13, 2024 7:53 am.
Last Updated Dec 13, 2024 6:23 pm.
Parents are concerned for students at Crossing Park School in the northeast Calgary community of Martindale, saying they risk being hit as they navigate traffic along poorly lit crosswalks.
The school-drop-off brings a rush of elementary and junior high kids to the streets, as well as vehicles.
“The thing is, we’re not allowed to go in the parking lots, we’re not allowed to stop in the middle of the road, but that’s what parents are having to do, and then the crosswalks — parents aren’t stopping,” explained parent Kailah Howe.
“The last thing I wanna see is a little kindergarten kid get hit.”
At one time, there was student school patrols at the crosswalks, but not anymore.
In a statement, the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) says in part, “…at the recommendation of the Alberta Motor Association and the Calgary Police Service, the school patrol program was discontinued due to risky driver behaviour in the community.”
CBE goes on to say that traffic safety concerns should be directed to the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line.
“I want to see patrols, I want to see lights, I want to see people slowing down and I’d like to see a different way to be dropping our children off cause it is scary,” Howe said.
CPS says it is looking into adding flashing lights at the crosswalk or heightened police patrol in the area.
