A Dresden-area councillor thinks he has the solution to Chatham-Kent's crossing guard dilemna.
With the municipality phasing out crossing guard services at 11 schools, Joe Faas says they should budget for pedestrian crosswalk devices to replace them. The crosswalks would allow pedestrians to press a button, warning drivers someone wants to cross. The suggestion comes after frustrated parents started a petition to keep crossing guards in Dresden.
Faas is asking that $500,000 be put aside to build the crosswalk technology. The exact price would be dependent on how much traffic each location gets. The Ontario Traffic Manual sets out what type of crosswalk should be used based on those numbers, which are currently being calculated by engineering staff.
He says the costs would come from one-time funding, and hopes the money can be found in reserves.
"The price of the crosswalks vary from $10,000 - $60,000," says Faas. "I've put in $500,000 so there's enough money to accomodate the most-expensive ones."
Faas adds council cut crossing guard services because of liability concerns, as well as struggles to find people to take the job. He says an automated crosswalk would help solve both issues.
"It's one hour a day: a half-hour in the morning and a half-hour in the afternoon. It's hard to retain or acquire new crossing guards in the areas that need them," says Faas.
Faas hopes to get plans for the crosswalks moving before the start of school in September. Council will discuss the issue at their meeting Monday.
