A city staff report set for discussion on Wednesday suggests that London should reconsider its approach to placing school crossing guards.
The report advises the city to evaluate the criteria it uses to decide if an intersection needs a crossing guard – the first review since 2013. The infrastructure and corporate services committee (ICSC) will look at this recommendation before it goes to the full council.
This review follows a directive from the city council last summer, asking staff to assess the school crossing guard program and explore improvements.
Many parents feel this review is long overdue.
“We would really like to be able to trust that our kids are going to be safe and get to school without being hit by a car,” said mother Sarah Meyer, who lives in the Huron Heights neighborhood with her four children.
Meyer’s eldest son attends Evelyn Harrison Public School on Tewksbury Crescent. While there’s a crossing guard at the crosswalk directly into the school, she pointed out that children also need to cross at other nearby intersections without supervision.
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Sarah Meyer’s two oldest children attend Evelyn Harrison Public School in London, Ont., where she says it can be dangerous walking to school due to unsafe drivers. (Submitted by Sarah Meyer)
“I’ve seen children cross without looking, and I’ve seen cars go through the crosswalk while not paying attention to whether there’s children coming,” Meyer said. “I’ve almost seen children get hit.”
She believes London needs more crossing guards.
“I would love to see more guards at major intersections where there’s a lot of traffic so we can always ensure everyone’s safe,” Meyer said.
According to the staff report, London currently employs 106 crossing guards across 104 locations.
The program is funded by property taxes and costs $1.6 million each year; however, the budget is fully allocated, according to the report.
Parents call for traffic safety at busy Old South elementary school crossing
Parents of students at Mountsfield Public School are pushing for additional safety measures at a busy crosswalk on Wortley Road, north of Commissioners Road. Jeremy Mc Call, a parent of three students there, is advocating for either flashing lights or a stationed crossing guard.
The OTC recommends considering whether other traffic calming measures have been put in place, visibility issues, and evaluating vehicle and student volume at intersections.
<p Specifically in London, there's a guideline requiring that at least 50 students must use a particular crossing during peak hours for it even be considered for having a guard stationed there, according to the report.
I C S C committee member and Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson remarked that these criteria are outdated.
“I was surprised that we hadn’t done an update on evaluation metrics since 2013 given how much our city has grown and all of its changes,” she mentioned.
The staff report suggests reviewing its warrant criteria process while gathering updated data about usage patterns at existing crossings across London.![]()
Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson expressed surprise over how long it’s been since they reviewed their intersection eligibility criteria for hiring new crossing guards – it’s been over 13 years now! (Kate Dubinski/CBC)
If approved by I C S C committee members as well as full council later on downline , city staff will then prepare findings along with recommendations based off what they’ve discovered.
Stevenson stated her support towards proceeding forward , hoping it’ll happen swiftly.
“The biggest thing for me is knowing there’s no timeline regarding when any updates will come out. It was already one year ago when council ordered us do conduct this review & considering those figures haven’t changed since ’13.. I want action taken ASAP!”
Meyer added although she favors increasing numbers assigned locally closer toward home turf personally-drivers themselves must remember making conscious choices too thus remaining vigilant behind wheels steering vehicles safely rather than neglecting surroundings elsewhere contributing recklessly harming innocent pedestrians nearby especially young ones using designated pedestrian lanes properly marked ahead should follow rules set forth governing such matters always ideally pursuing appropriate behavior accordingly indeed wouldn’t hurt anyone involved whatsoever perhaps?
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How does the current program work?
The last time London evaluated its crossing guard program was back in 2013 when responsibility was transferred from the London Police Service. The request process for new crossing guards goes through an online service portal where city staff assess needs based on criteria set by the Ontario Traffic Council (OTC), further refined by local officials. WATCH | Why this parent is calling for a crossing guard:
Parents call for traffic safety at busy Old South elementary school crossing
Parents of students at Mountsfield Public School are pushing for additional safety measures at a busy crosswalk on Wortley Road, north of Commissioners Road. Jeremy Mc Call, a parent of three students there, is advocating for either flashing lights or a stationed crossing guard.
The OTC recommends considering whether other traffic calming measures have been put in place, visibility issues, and evaluating vehicle and student volume at intersections.
<p Specifically in London, there's a guideline requiring that at least 50 students must use a particular crossing during peak hours for it even be considered for having a guard stationed there, according to the report.
I C S C committee member and Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson remarked that these criteria are outdated.
“I was surprised that we hadn’t done an update on evaluation metrics since 2013 given how much our city has grown and all of its changes,” she mentioned.
The staff report suggests reviewing its warrant criteria process while gathering updated data about usage patterns at existing crossings across London.Broader traffic safety concerns
As part of their investigation efforts , officials conducted surveys involving over one hundred principals throughout various schools. Nearly half reported having access either directly or indirectly via outside groups helping implement crossings near them while most viewed programs favorably regarding supporting student security overall , according reports documented thus far. However respondents also raised certain areas needing improvement including clearer channels available whenever reporting issues arises altogether. < P Many administrators highlighted general worries about safety surrounding these educational institutions indicating increased congestion plus reckless driving behaviors occurring recently too overall. Almost fifty percent noted calling upon authorities seeking stronger enforcement procedures surrounding vicinity close proximity near schools being critical necessity required next steps immediately moving forward hereafter expected outcomes anticipated soon thereafter as well regardless anyhow ! Lindsay Steel serves as vice chairperson within London’s Catholic District School Board-she recalled hearing complaints predominantly focused around missing guards initially-but recently those same conversations shifted toward broader concerns centered more so around ensuring proper protections exist against negligent drivers instead altogether now particularly noteworthy right ? “We’ve heard from community members expressing frustrations related specifically targeting crowded conditions present around elementary schools lately-emphasizing even greater importance placed onto presence & availability concerning dedicated adult supervision provided whenever necessary too,” Steel reiterated firmly speaking aloud alongside everyone else present today addressing audience directly justifying why these roles matter greatly.”Meyer added although she favors increasing numbers assigned locally closer toward home turf personally-drivers themselves must remember making conscious choices too thus remaining vigilant behind wheels steering vehicles safely rather than neglecting surroundings elsewhere contributing recklessly harming innocent pedestrians nearby especially young ones using designated pedestrian lanes properly marked ahead should follow rules set forth governing such matters always ideally pursuing appropriate behavior accordingly indeed wouldn’t hurt anyone involved whatsoever perhaps?
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