Las Vegas, NV – In response to a concerning rise in student pedestrian accidents, the Clark County Commission unanimously voted on Tuesday to add 84 crossing guards to middle schools in unincorporated areas. This decision comes after data revealed approximately 80 students were hit by vehicles so far this school year, marking a 25% increase compared to the same period last year.

Tragic Incidents and Community Advocacy:

• The urgency of the situation was highlighted by emotional testimonies from families who lost loved ones in similar accidents. Suzan Smith, whose son Jonny was fatally struck in 2019, emphasized the need for increased safety measures at school crosswalks.
• Bill Ortiz, an advocate for crosswalk safety who lost his son 11 years ago, urged the commission to take action.

Commission’s Response and Implementation:

• Commissioners acknowledged the problem and unanimously approved the deployment of 84 new crossing guards at 23 middle schools.
• This decision adds to the existing presence of crossing guards at elementary schools, funded by the county’s $11 million annual allocation.
• The new initiative will incur an additional cost of $4 million.
• Crossing Guard Services has 60 days to hire and place the new guards.

Impact and Ongoing Responsibility:

• Supporters believe the additional crossing guards will significantly enhance student safety while crossing streets near schools.
• Sergeant Jovan Mingo of the Clark County School District Police Department emphasized the crucial role of drivers in ensuring children’s safety, highlighting the high number of accidents occurring within 30 minutes before and after school hours.
• Kristen Penny, friend of Rayan Kim, a 12-year-old severely injured in a recent accident, emphasized the life-altering impact such incidents can have.

Credits: 8 News Now