LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Clark County held a meeting on Tuesday to vote on funding to add crossing guards for middle schools.
Middle school is typically when parents are likely to let their children start going to and from school on their own, whether they are walking or biking.
Even though there will now be more eyes on the roads with the help of crossing guards, FOX5 spoke with many who say this should not be the only solution.
During drop-off and pick-up, there is a common scene at schools with crossing guards doing their best to keep traffic moving at a safe pace.
We heard one crossing guard near an elementary school near Cactus and Buffalo yell at a driver to “stop” when they were driving even when they did not have the right of way.
The chaotic situation is nothing new for crossing guards Jessica Hynes and Robyn Benn.
“I almost got hit twice, every day no less than two times, Benn said.
According to Benn, she gets hit two times a day by parents and drivers who simply do not obey the rules.
Benn showed us an area where she stands and calls it a “danger zone” because despite her holding a stop sign cars try to drive past her.
“We get really nervous when we hear a lot of sirens going on,” Hynes said.
The two crossing guards did hear the sirens the morning of January 30 when 11-year-old Rayan Kim was on his way to middle school down the road when a car hit and ran him over.
“I am tired of hearing and seeing kids getting hit,” Hynes said.
Commissioner Michael Naft was tired of it too. He pushed his fellow commissioners to vote on expanding funding to add crossing guards to middle schools in Clark County.
The vote passed unanimously on Tuesday.
“Parents are rushing through and I have seen drivers come by really quick, it’s almost like a blind corner,’ parent Claudia Young said.
Though getting crossing guards is a bit of a relief for middle school parents, crossing guards themselves feel that they need backup.
“I think the solution will be, they need to enforce tickets to these people who are speeding through,” Hynes said.
Lt. Bryan Zink with Clark County School District Police Department said they cannot be at schools at all times during arrival and dismissal.
“They try to respond to as many traffic issues as possible,” Lt. Zink explained.
On the times they have responded, Lt. Zink said around 1,000 citations have been given out just this school year. He has a message to drivers.
“Make sure to slow down and pay attention. Half hour before school, half hour after school, so technically we are asking you to slow down 180 hours out of the year,’ Lt. Zink said.
Lt. Zink also emphasized that parents need to speak to kids about traffic safety and rules on the road.
“We are not out here for the money. We are here to keep the kids safe,” Benn said.
Now that the vote has passed, Commissioner Naft said we can expect to see those crossing guards within 60 days.
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