A few days ago , my heart nearly stopped. My son was almost hit by a car while trying to cross the street at the corner of Pioneer Blvd and Clarkmen St, right in front of the Little Lake City School District in Santa Fe Springs, CA. This area, busy with parents, school staff, and students during the rush hours of school start and end times, demands more than just a stop sign for safety.

Currently, there is no crosswalk or crossing guard to ensure the safety of our children as they go to and from school. With cars speeding through the intersection and limited visibility during early morning and late afternoon hours, any child crossing the street is at risk. We cannot stand idly by and wait for an accident to happen; we must take preventive action.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 6,200 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2018—a 30-year high. Properly marked crosswalks with crossing guards significantly reduce these risks, particularly in school zones.

What we need is a designated crosswalk and a crossing guard at the intersection of Pioneer Blvd and Clarkmen St. This will not only protect our children but also educate drivers on the importance of slowing down and yielding to pedestrians in school zones. Implementing these measures could prevent future near-misses and, most importantly, save lives.

The solution is straightforward and achievable with community and city council support. We urge the city of Santa Fe Springs to recognize the pressing need for these changes to ensure the safety of all students attending Little Lake City School District.

Let's put our children's safety first. Please sign this petition urging city officials to install a crosswalk and assign a crossing guard at Pioneer Blvd and Clarkmen St. Together, we can make a difference and protect our community’s children from harm.