Crossing guards call for slowdown

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The next time you are on the road and enjoying your morning jolt of coffee while applying lipstick, talking to your spouse on the phone and quieting the kids in the backseat, consider Kile York's job.

York supervises the Travis County Crossing Guard Program for eight unincorporated schools and has to watch out for the safety of his crossing guards as well as thousands of kids that cross at Travis County crosswalks every day.

York is growing concerned about two areas specifically where neighborhood residents are ignoring crossing guards near Wells Branch Elementary, 14650 Merriltown Drive, and Steiner Ranch Elementary, 4001 N. Quinlan Park Rd.

"We've had several near-misses in the crosswalks," said York. "It’s not everybody, but it only takes one time."

York said he has tried articles in local community newspapers, contacting neighborhood associations and working with the constable's office on the problem. Yet, he said people are still dangerously speeding through crosswalks in Travis County.

"The majority of them are probably residents [that live in the area of the schools], more so than contractors," said York.

Travis County Constable Adan Ballesteros' office has increased patrols in the area of Steiner Ranch Elementary since the neighborhood association and school officials have asked for help.

Travis County Corporal Greg Papst said, "Even though they live out here and they've been living out here for several years, they just have a moment where they're not thinking."

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