Resident urges city, police and schools to act after near‑collision near Meadowlawn Elementary

Carlos Borders, a neighborhood volunteer, told the Kentwood City Commission on March 24 that a father and son were struck and slightly injured while trying to cross Fuller Avenue near Slater, outside Meadowlawn Elementary.

"We can't wait till something happens to your child, your aunt, your grandparent," Borders said, describing repeated speeding and unsafe drop‑off behavior in the neighborhood. "It's time to hold people accountable." He said volunteers and a police officer have tried education and occasional speed checks but that more aggressive action is needed.

Mayor Keppley acknowledged the report and said he had been in recent discussions with Kentwood Public Schools about safety at the site. Keppley said he would speak with Kevin (a school official referenced in the meeting) about options such as switching parent drop‑off to the rear of the school and keeping buses in front. "They have options, and to maybe switch the traffic," Keppley said.

The mayor and Borders both noted the specific crossing where the incident occurred is a short distance from the school itself, meaning both school and city actions could be involved. Borders suggested a flashing school‑zone signal at the Fuller/Slater crossing and described repeated instances of drivers ignoring speed limits and making unsafe turns.

Keppley told the commission he and staff will explore what the city can do versus what the school must do to reduce risk at the location.

The exchange occurred during the meeting's public comment period; no formal action or vote was recorded on the item. The commission did not adopt a specific traffic study or direct staff to a defined follow‑up at that meeting.