A matter of safety

AMHERST - A week before a minivan collided with three vehicles and came to rest on a residence's front porch, a new safety committe made a presentation to the local Home & School Association concerning traffic congestion outside Spring Street Academy.

"We reported on recommendations to improve the safety of the children before and after school with regards to picking up and dropping off children," said Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, chair of the Home & School Safety Committee.

"There's a genuine concern for most parents that this is a very valid concern to which we need to find a solution."

Just before the final bell rang at the elementary school on Nov. 27, a minivan parked in a no stopping zone was asked to move. The driver collided with three different vehicles before backing up onto the front porch of a Charles Street home.

Parent Donna Scott has two children that walk to the school every day and feels it's high time the traffic situation be dealt with.

"The presence of our police force does not seem to be working and "no parking" signs are either too small to be seen or are being ignored," she wrote in an e-mail to the Amherst Daily News, adding she's witnessed several incidents in the area.

Principal Barry Kelly says the traffic concerns are nothing new.

"Parking has been an ongoing issue since the school was built," said Kelly, "and when you have 500 students that all either walk to school or are driven, you will have problems."

The committee that's been formed under the Home & School Association includes five members, all parents. Smith-McCrossin herself has four children, three of which attend Spring Street Academy.

"(The traffic situation) is kind of scary actually. I think everyone feels the same way but nobody knows quite what to do about it," she said.

The next plan for the safety committee is to meet with town councillors and Const. Francis Smith, community policing officer with the Amherst Police Department.

"We're hoping to meet with them before Christmas and present them with our recommendations in hopes that they will endorse them and help us to make those changes," said Smith-McCrossin.

What's unfortunate about the situation is that it's only for about 15 minutes in the morning and another 15 later in the day, says Kelly. The rest of the day is fine.

Const. Smith makes an appearance at Spring Street Academy as often as possible, at least twice a week, Kelly adds.

"There are frequent passes by other police officers when Const. Smith isn't able to be there."

Some of the recommendations the committee has for improved safety include both creating drop off and pick up only zones, as well as adding more crossing guards.

"I'm sure I speak for all parents of Spring Street Academy students when I say that my main concern is the safety of the children," said Scott.

"Let's be pro-active about this situation before it is too late."

If anyone has any suggestions for the Home & School Safety Committee, they can send an email to Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin at esmccrossin@eastlink.ca, or call Home & School Association president Molly Rose Smith.



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