Parents and committee press for action after near-misses at Hillsdale School crossing

Kyle Hudson, a West Chester resident, told the Public Safety Committee that he has “personally almost been hit twice” while walking his daughter to Hillsdale School at the intersection of Bradford Avenue and Gay Street.

Hudson said changing traffic patterns, new housing developments and drivers who “blow right through” the stop sign have made the crossing dangerous for children who walk to school. He told the committee that officer enforcement eases the problem but is inconsistent: “When there is a police officer there, people don't roll through the stop sign,” Hudson said.

Lisa Dorsey, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said she exchanged emails with Hudson and has shared his concerns with the police chief. “We will determine what our options are and hopefully be able to share something with you at the next public safety meeting,” Dorsey said.

Hudson said he had contacted other officials and noted a precedent for a crossing guard at the location when state Representative Carolyn Committa’s children attended the school. He suggested volunteer or municipal options for supervision, citing other municipalities that use volunteer fire departments or other arrangements for crossing duty.

Committee members asked whether the West Chester Area School District had been contacted; Hudson said he had attempted to reach district staff and had also spoken with school board member Laura Detre. The committee did not set a specific remedy at the meeting but asked staff and the police to investigate options including enforcement, volunteer crossing guards and coordination with the school district.

The committee recorded the concern for follow-up and planned to report back with possible solutions at its next meeting.

Ending: The committee did not adopt a policy at the meeting; it committed to reviewing enforcement and coordination options and to update Hudson at the next public safety meeting.