Glorietta parents press Orinda council to place professional crossing guards after recent crash

Glorietta Elementary School parents told the Orinda City Council they want professional crossing guards deployed immediately at the Glorietta Boulevard/Martha Road and Martha Road/Hillcrest School crosswalks after a child was struck at the Glorietta Boulevard/Martha Road intersection less than two months ago.

"We respectfully request the city council expedite the placing of professional crossing guards at the Glorietta Boulevard slash Martha Road and Martha Road slash Hillcrest School crosswalks," said Meredith Christ, who identified herself as a Glorietta Elementary School parent and Orinda resident speaking on behalf of the Glorietta Parents Club. She told the council the issue has been discussed for years without results and said school staff and parents are increasingly concerned about pedestrian safety.

Christ said the Parents Club obtained a quote from All City Management Services — the same company that provides Lafayette's crossing guards — showing the cost to place two professional guards at the Glorietta intersections would be less than $300 per day, including insurance and company fees. She said a district‑wide quote is being prepared and that the company could provide guards immediately.

Additional speakers backed the request. Resident Dave Chesgreen said he has seen the school remove a school‑provided crossing guard in the final minutes of morning drop‑off, increasing risk. Tony Chow, a Glorietta resident, said the lack of sidewalks and increased traffic speeds made crossing guards a reasonable safety measure and said parents would be willing to pay for the service if necessary.

Council members and staff described the current status as a matter involving both the city and the school district. The transcript records that the council is awaiting further information from the district superintendent and that the district is hiring a consultant to review possible safety enhancements. Christ and other speakers urged the council not to delay while consulting processes continue.

No formal council action to place guards was recorded in the meeting minutes or transcript; the matter was presented during public comment and will require follow‑up with the superintendent and staff. The Parents Club asked the council to confirm that, if the city cannot move quickly, it will not block the community from hiring guards directly on city‑jurisdiction crosswalks.

Notes: Article summarizes public comments submitted during the public forum portion of the meeting. The transcript uses "Glorietta" for the elementary school and identifies a vendor quote amount and timeline but does not record any council directive to staff to hire guards on an immediate basis.