During a recent city council meeting, community members voiced their urgent call for enhanced safety measures at school crosswalks, specifically advocating for the installation of traffic cameras on North 175th Street at Wallingford Avenue North and Meridian Avenue North. Representing a petition backed by 180 signatures, local parent Ariel James highlighted the growing concerns among families regarding unsafe driving behaviors in school zones.

James, alongside fellow parents and crossing guards, emphasized the necessity of traffic cameras to monitor and deter speeding during school hours. The petitioners argue that despite existing safety measures, many drivers continue to violate traffic laws, posing a significant risk to children walking to and from Meridian Park School.

The group is requesting that the city council direct staff to conduct a study that would support an ordinance for the implementation of speed safety cameras. They believe that the data and recent legislative changes favor the introduction of such technology to enhance pedestrian safety.

The meeting underscored the community's frustration with the current situation, as parents expressed their commitment to advocating for their children's safety. The council is expected to consider the petition and the staff report detailing the potential benefits of traffic cameras in the coming weeks.