In efforts to increase safety for the city's youngsters, Mayor Karen Bass has taken to the streets - quite literally. Together with local leaders, Mayor Bass spotlighted the rollout of numerous traffic-calming measures aimed at protecting Los Angeles students on their daily school commutes. Indeed, it is an ensemble of speed humps and vigilant crossing guards that now mark the terrains encircling educational edifices.
Joined by fellow stewards of the community at Van Nuys Elementary in San Fernando Valley, Mayor Bass unfurled her plan to significantly reduce traffic-induced dangers near schools. "This is all part of a comprehensive public safety strategy to make all of Los Angeles safer," she proclaimed, affirming an installation of more than 250-speed humps and the mobilization of over 500 crossing guards, as reported by the Mayor's official news release.
The city's efforts have indeed been multi-pronged, including an array of quick build street enhancements at over 180 intersections serving more than 40 schools, thereby demonstrating a commitment to pre-emptively shield the youth from harm. The City Council President, Paul Krekorian, underscored the critical personal nature of the issue in a statement, "From my first days on the Council, I’ve had to comfort too many families whose children were injured or even killed by a driver hurtling through the intersection."
In addition to physical hindrances designed to temper vehicular ferocity, bureaucratic measures were hastened to ensure a veritable battalion of crossing guards was strategically stationed as guardians of the pedestrian pathways for the school year. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho extolled the joint efforts as pivotal for the construction of a sanctuary city for the youth, one that fervently "cherishes and protects its youth," revealed in the Mayor's announcement.
Beyond the school term, the city has strived to weave a continuous tapestry of safety through the Summer Night Lights program — a seasonal initiative that clamors to reduce violence via increased activities for youth and families. The program beseeches more than 100,000 individuals to its fold and is an integral aspect of the broader GRYD Comprehensive Strategy.
Mayor Bass's tour continued beyond the schoolyard as she accompanied LAPD officers on a ride-along through the Van Nuys Division to evaluate ongoing safety and crime reduction efforts. Her presence amidst the traffic measures and on the patrol ride-along emphasized actions speaking louder than words, a tangible gesture of leadership in the ongoing challenge of nurturing a safer city.
