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Council refers Saint Hyacinth Head Start safety concerns to Public Safety and Public Works
Summary
After multiple parents, crossing guards and the school's principal described repeated near-misses at the Saint Hyacinth Head Start crosswalk, the council voted to refer the matter to Public Safety, Public Works and the law department for recommended fixes and cost estimates.
The Lackawanna City Council on Nov. 3 referred a citizen-driven request to Public Safety, Public Works and the law department after parents, two crossing guards and the Head Start principal described repeated near-misses at the Saint Hyacinth Head Start on Ridge Road.
"It's not okay," parent Tanya Smithers told the council, describing semi-trucks and cars speeding past the school and saying crossing guard Diane Pelini "puts her life on the line every single day." Principal Jeris Rainey said the program serves roughly 56 children and families at once and that the existing crosswalk and crossing guard are insufficient to keep families safe.
Council member Bridal Muflahi moved to refer the item for departmental study and implementation recommendations; Anderson seconded. The motion was recorded and carried in open session.
Speakers at the meeting suggested measures ranging from short-term enforcement and an officer presence to low-cost traffic-calming steps such as no-parking/loading zones, signage to establish a 15-mph school zone and an ADA-compliant ramp at the crosswalk. Crossing guard Diane Pelini offered to provide photographs documenting blocked sight lines, broken glass at the crossing and large vehicles that she said sometimes prevent drivers from seeing the crossing guard.
The council did not adopt a specific capital project or timeline during the meeting; the referral directs Public Safety and Public Works to consider options and report back with recommendations and any budget implications.
