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Sierra Madre council directs outreach to Pasadena Unified after parents and police urge crossing guards at elementary school
Summary
Following multiple recent near-miss accounts at the Highland/Auburn intersection by Sierra Madre Elementary School, the City Council directed the city manager to seek a memorandum of understanding with Pasadena Unified School District on shared funding for crossing guards and asked staff to return Sept. 23 with budget and traffic-control options.
Parents, police and council members converged Sept. 9 on the need for new measures to protect students crossing near Sierra Madre Elementary School.
Why it matters: Council heard multiple accounts of near-misses and unsafe conditions at the Highland and Auburn intersection during drop-off and pickup times. Residents and parents urged the city to secure crossing guards; police described enforcement and signage as part of a multi-pronged response but said long-term solutions require coordination with the school district.
What the council heard: Ashley Dilshaver, a parent, told the council a short police deployment “made a huge difference” but that pedestrian confusion continues and a single crossing guard would reduce the risk of crashes. “Without clear communication and 1 person leading the traffic flow, it's only a matter of time for there to be a huge accident,” she said. Sharon Cartagena, who lives a block from the elementary school, said she will not allow her 10-year-old to walk to school because the intersection is “extremely chaotic.”
Public-safety response and engineering options: Police Chief Barrientos presented an assessment showing most bearers of congestion are parent-generated (double parking, inattention) and said enforcement alone is not sustainable; the department deployed extra patrols during peak times but has limited staffing. Staff recommended a layered approach: more visible signage, refreshed crosswalk markings (ladder/horizontal striping), LED-enhanced stop signs and targeted traffic enforcement. Chief Barrientos said crossing guards are “the most requested option” but that the school district typically manages crossing-guard programs.
Council action and next steps: The council instructed the city manager to contact Pasadena Unified School District to pursue a memorandum of understanding for cost-sharing crossing guards at Sierra Madre Elementary School and Sierra Madre Middle School, and to return to council at the Sept. 23 meeting with cost estimates and recommended short-term infrastructure actions (signage, painting, LED signs) and a timeline. The council also asked staff to report whether temporary volunteer reserves or city resources can fill gaps pending a formal agreement.
Why the district is central: State and industry guidance treats crossing-guard programs as district-level responsibilities or partnerships; the California School Boards Association and draft Caltrans guidance were both cited during questions as frameworks for collaboration. Staff said crossing guards require training and scheduling, which city staff can support but that PUSD would typically administer.
Ending: The council framed the item as urgent and asked for a progress report at the Sept. 23 meeting. In the interim staff will pursue signage upgrades and evaluate funding options including short-term allocations or grant opportunities.
