ERHS has taken many steps to ensure student safety, but seems to have missed one. The entrance to the school on Mandan Road has no pedestrian crossing, potentially jeopardizing the safety of students walking to the school from that direction.

According to freshman Mick Guile, crossing the road is “difficult because you need to know when the cars are coming, [and] they always keep going.” “I usually have to wait until there is a low in traffic so I can cross safely,” said Guile. She stated that her walk to school is “not too safe,” and said that she “almost got hit by a school bus that was coming into Roosevelt.”

Senior Jessica Davis said she finds her walk to school “mostly safe.” “Some cars don’t pay attention, but generally stop when they see students coming,” Davis said. “I could walk along the highway around the area, but it’s longer for me.” She suggested that a “crosswalk or some kind of sign” is placed in the area “so that cars know to expect people crossing.”

Some students, on the other hand, said they feel safe already. Senior Kennard Watkins said he does not think his walk to school is in anyway dangerous. He described his walk to school as “very safe.” He went on to further explain his strategy for crossing the street. “I stop unless they stop, then I go,” he explained. There “shouldn’t be much to be done” because “if you are paying attention and know what you are doing, there shouldn’t be any problem crossing the street” Watkins said. “Leave it the way it is,” he concluded.

Senior Kayatou Ouattara, who uses the pedestrian crossing not far up from the entrance, described her walk to school as “safe.” Guile admits that she is aware of the crosswalk that is further up Hanover Parkway but using that path will “totally make [her] late.” Another crosswalk would be very beneficial…min fact I think it’s needed” Guile concluded.

“The crosswalks are usually spaced out” Officer Charles Wooten said. Justifying why there might not be a crosswalk at the entrance he said, “if there’s already one in the general area, they won’t put one right next to another. “It depends on how much pedestrian traffic is seen, unless something happens or a significant amount of people complain or propose the idea,” said Wooten.  He does not think there’s any chance of a crosswalk being there in the future. “No, I don’t think students should be taking this risk. Don’t try to cross all at once” Officer Wooten advised. “You can cross one area where it’s cleared . . . stand in that median and then wait till the next lane is cleared.”