BY: JENNIFER MADRIGAL
Eastvale – Four determined Rosa Parks Elementary School students are starting their political careers young, by advocating for a crossing guard at Rosa Parks Elementary School. The girls first noticed a problem after seeing cars flying through intersections, kids not paying attention and bicyclers zipping in and out of the street without looking. The concerned girls, part of Troop 152, talked to their troop leader Kenna Millspaugh, about finding a solution to the problem. They did research and talked to the school principal and then brought the matter to the city and worked with City Manager, Carol Jacobs to see what could be done. They even took it a step further and brought their poster board of ideas and visuals to the Eastvale City Council and to the Eastvale Public Safety Commission.
At the February 2014, Eastvale City Council meeting the four girls; Kailynn Salinas (fourth grade) and fifth-graders Hazel Lloyd, Brie Leber and Lindsey Salinas, Girl Scout Troop 152 expressed their concerns to the council about the safety of students and other pedestrians who are crossing Harrison Avenue and Whispering Hills Drive during school hours. The girls delivered a powerful and extremely eloquent speech that impressed the council and the entire audience. They requested that the City provide a crossing guard at Rosa Parks Elementary School to enforce traffic rules as well as improve the safety of pedestrians. After the meeting, Eastvale City Staff members met with Troop 152’s Leaders and provided an explanation of the process involved in obtaining a crossing guard.
According to the Carol Jacobs at the February 25, 2014 City Council meeting, the City’s Staff has established traffic migration measures that sometimes include talking with concerned parents, conducting a crossing guard study, two traffic counts, and traffic camera surveillance, to name a few. In addition, various actions like trimming trees to allow for improved sign visibility, the installation of “No Right Turn on Red” signs, and the adjustment of the timing on traffic signals have also been accomplished to address the Girl Scout’s concerns.
The requested crossing guard studies were conducted. The results stated that an additional crossing guard is not necessary, and there are not enough cars passing through the specified intersection to warrant additional crossing guards being stationed in the area. However, the city and the Council have agreed to conduct a third study in the next month to reach a final decision. Jacobs did mention at a recent council meeting that the city is looking into grants to purchase flashing speed signs to be placed near the intersection to alert drivers of their speed.
While the girls may not be able to get a crossing guard for the intersection, they are very happy with all the city has done to look into their concerns and their parents and this community couldn’t be prouder of how hard and diligent the girls have been in their efforts. As a result of this study and all their work, the girls will be receiving the Bronze Award, the highest award that a Girl Scout Junior can earn.
