Crossing guard harassed by drivers

In a day and age where antibullying campaigns are running rampant unfortunately bullying still exists, and it appears to be the “mature” people that cannot control themselves when it comes to having to stop for a school crossing guard who takes her job seriously to protect our children as they cross the street safely.

Since the opening in the gall of 2017, Springwood elementary continues to draw complaints from the local citizens and parents alike regarding traffic on North Kelly and the safety of the children.

The craziest snowfall brought traffic to a halt on Thursday morning between Zral Road and North Kelly Road. While sitting second in line waiting to turn I witnessed our school crossing guard jump out to stop traffic while some great citizens jumped out of their vehicles to help a mom stuck at the end of Zral. My kids and I applauded at the kindness of strangers.

After school, I stopped to pay kudos to our crossing guard for jumping in and taking control of the situation. She had informed me that she received a lot of nasty comments from those that had to wait in line for their turn. I had no words, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

Earlier I had posted on the Springwood elementary Facebook page a big shout-out to our crossing guard.

I was shocked and enraged to find a comment from Mandi O’Donnell how this type of behavior happens all the time. (With permission) Mandi commented “She gets a LOT of verbal abuse from impatient people. She has to jump out and wave her stop sign at people while my boys and I are all ready on the crosswalk only to be yelled at!! I’ve made many complaints to the city and RCMP about people not stopping at the crosswalk, speeding and cursing at her. She’s risking her life to make sure children get to school!”

As we try to teach our children about anti-bullying Mandi’s boys listen to this on a daily basis, and it’s not from the kids at school... why does this happen?

With the ongoing issues of road safety on North Kelly, the city has yet to alleviate parents’ concerns with no sidewalks or adequate space for children to walk safely along the side of this road.

And now the bullying of a crossing guard. Again, I have no words.

Lisa Collins, Prince George