It deeply concerns me to witness a scene every day that puts our children's lives at risk. On Culebra Road, children from the nearby Harlen high school cross the road daily to reach the local restaurants or their homes, and every time they do, they flirt with danger.

Over the past year, we have witnessed several accidents on Culebra Road due to lack of proper pedestrian infrastructure and stop lights. It's terrifying to confront the reality that our children are in harm's way with every crossing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian fatalities due to traffic accidents have increased by 3.4% in recent years. It is a grim statistic that could be reflective of our own community if action is not taken immediately.

This is about safety, about ensuring our children can make this everyday journey without fear. It's also about the future. The road in its current state is a time bomb, teetering on the cusp of a tragic accident involving a school kid - our school kid.

We must preempt this potential tragedy. We are calling for a safe sidewalk to be built on Culebra Road that will connect Harlen high school and the nearby Sonic. We believe, constructing a sidewalk will significantly reduce the chance of accidents and provide a safer route for Harlen’s students.

This situation is no more about urban planning - it's about our children's lives, it's about our community's peace of mind. Let's convert this danger into safety and ensure a secure route for our children.

Implore the relevant authorities to take immediate action. Please, sign this petition for the construction of a safe sidewalk on Culebra Road. It's time we chose safety over risk for our children.