A report presented to a committee in London suggests a reevaluation of how the city determines the placement of school crossing guards. The report advises a review of the criteria used to assess intersections for crossing guards, marking the first such review since 2013. The infrastructure and corporate services committee will deliberate on this recommendation before it advances to the full council.
This review follows a directive from the city council last summer to analyze the school crossing guard program for enhancements. Sarah Meyer, a resident of the Huron Heights neighborhood with four children, expressed the overdue need for this review to ensure the safety of children walking to school. She highlighted concerns about unsupervised intersections where children cross, emphasizing the importance of additional crossing guards at major traffic intersections for enhanced safety.
Currently, London has 106 crossing guards deployed across 104 locations, with the program funded by property taxes amounting to $1.6 million annually. The report states that the existing crossing guard program was last reviewed in 2013 when the city assumed responsibility from the London Police Service. The process for requesting new crossing guards involves submitting requests through the city’s online portal, with assessments conducted based on criteria outlined by the Ontario Traffic Council and further developed by the city.
City staff recommend updating the criteria process and gathering fresh data on the usage of existing crossing guard locations. Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson raised concerns about the outdated evaluation metrics, advocating for an expedited review process to address the evolving city landscape and traffic patterns. If approved by the committee and council, city staff will report back on their findings and recommendations.
In a broader context, the review included feedback from over 100 school principals, indicating overall positive views on the crossing guard program’s role in supporting student safety. However, there were suggestions for a clearer process for reporting concerns and improving general safety in school areas, particularly regarding traffic congestion and unsafe driver behavior. Linda Steel, vice chair of the London Catholic District School Board, highlighted the importance of crossing guards in ensuring student safety amid increased traffic and driver-related challenges.
Meyer emphasized the need for more crossing guards in conjunction with responsible driver behavior to enhance road safety for children. While acknowledging the positive role of crossing guards, she stressed the importance of driver vigilance on the roads.