This post is for all the parents of Kershaw County Schools  (for us it’s been Jackson Elementary, Camden Middle, and Camden High) or any other districts having the same issues with traffic control and safety. 

*I would like to add that I am not asking to pull officers out of the school as I know that is top priority and helps keep our kids and the staff inside safe. I am asking for help from the community whether it’s retried law enforcement, firefighters, vets, security guards, whoever would be fit to direct the traffic. This could ensure the safety of not only our babies but the staff, the parents, the community as well. It’s getting dangerous out there and traffic is at an all time high during school hours drop off and pick up times. Please let’s figure this out so no one gets hurt or killed. 

We need to make a petition to bring back the police who direct the traffic. This has been an issue since the first day of school. Last year we had them and things went alot smoother (not saying there weren’t any issues ever but they were still minor issues and not as bad) I have contacted the school and spoke to them regarding this issue and I am told they will address our concerns and they do see it as a problem. However, they informed me that we would have to contact the local sheriff’s office as they are the ones who make this decision. I know I am not the only parent who has this issue. 

Just to give y’all insight on why I feel so strongly about this…… this morning at 7:30 (that’s when the tardy bell rings for the elementary kids) we had already been in line waiting prior to the tardy bell so no we were not late. The traffic gets backed up in the main line, however there is a second lane which sounds like it would be helpful but it is NOT!!!! I believe that second lane causes way more issues. People get into it essentially cutting off the other people who have been waiting in line for long periods of time, and even though some people are courteous enough to let them through, its very unfair for the ones who have waited and have other kids to get to other schools on time and/or need to be to work on time. The dangerous aspect of it is when you have people LITERALLY jumping curbs, running over cones, wrecks happening, people yelling at each other, traffic back ups, etc. Today we witnessed 2 vehicles do this and the one who jumped the curb (sir if you can see this you should be held accountable and should have gotten a BIG ticket) because PARENTS and our sweet little CHILDREN are walking along the crosswalk and sidewalks all while this is going on. What if he had ran over someone?!!!! And when I tell you this is NOT the first time this has happened it’s a BIG problem. I almost got ran over by someone a few weeks ago who was too impatient to wait so instead wanted to fly around vehicles while I was trying to cross!!!! 

The school says they want to keep our kids safe and it’s a safely issue to walk the kids across which I understand completely because it is. However if we had police presence out there and more people helping to direct the traffic this wouldn’t be happening!!!! They said and I quote “we have police inside the school to protect the kids inside” and “staff goes in at 7:30 when the bell rings” but what about the few minutes after that when there are still so many kids getting out of cars because the line is so long or if you are running a few minutes behind? What about the people still outside who are literally standing there waiting to go in (because you have to park and get out your car to walk them in and have to ring the bell and sometimes it takes a few minutes which I understand it’s a safety precaution and I 100% am glad that’s in place) all while people in line are all trying to do the same thing and some are rushing and impatient and beeping horns or yelling or again JUMPING curbs!!!! 

If any of y’all have witnessed this and feel the same way please let’s write up a petition. Let’s do something about this to keep our babies and ourselves safe!!!! I don’t care if we have to post up outside in the parking lot and have parents sign whatever we need to do because this is unsafe and absolutely ridiculous. If we don’t do something someone or multiple people are going to get hurt and this is not okay. I have seen multiple parents complain about this and they just get told “okay we will talk to someone.” It’s not being done and the problem is not resolved and in fact is getting WORSE!!! What’s it gonna take to get this handled?!!!! 

I would like to add I recently saw a post from Camden Middle School from the principal concerned about the kids and the traffic, and how parents are dropping them off in the middle of the road just to avoid having to wait in the line. I can agree with this because when my son went there I saw it all the time and even almost hit people walking before not know they were getting out of the car in the middle of the street. And in the video he states this is still happening.  Do you all think this would be happening if there were police and/or security directing traffic?! I can also add that this is a problem at the high school as well. People are crazy out there and don’t always care or take time to be cautious. I’ve seen wrecks and kids almost get hit there as well!!! 

Let’s start a petition or if everyone wants to call the sheriff’s department and make the same complaint if that’s what it takes to feel safe!