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School needs a crossing guard

Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, December 4, 2008

INUVIK - Bev Lennie said she shouted herself hoarse one day after someone nearly backed into her in front of Sir Alexander Mackenzie school.

"There are no crosswalks or crossing guards there during the morning rush," she said.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

A parent of a Sir Alexander Mackenzie School student is concerned with the lack of visibility and supervision while dropping off kids to school in the morning. She suggests a crossing guard be posted in the crescent in front of the school. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

"There is a lot of traffic in that area."

With the winter season in full swing, Lennie said the usual ice fog and built-up exhaust from the vehicles in front of the school could add to the problem.

"There are little children running all over from their vehicles to the school," she said.

"I'm concerned that a child might get hit by a car with the low visibility.

"With all that chaos and movement, it's not a safe area for kids to cross."

She added there are some drivers who pull into the parking area of the school to drop their kids off.

"Those people need to look behind them and back up carefully," she said.

"They need to be more aware of their surroundings."

Town of Inuvik senior administrative officer Sara Brown said the town is willing to work with the school to find a solution.

"There are things we can do with the school to work with them," said Brown.

"The reality of it is that we can't have a bylaw officer there every morning to watch the space."

Brown said the town office recently held a preliminary meeting with the school to discuss making the area safer for the students.

Mayor Derek Lindsay said a crosswalk has been set up on Kingmingya Road, in front of the high school.

"We have signs posted letting drivers know that it's a school zone," he said.

"We couldn't put yellow lines on the road because they would be covered with snow for most of the school season."