Los Alamitos : Timetable for School Crossing Signal Asked

Worried about the safety of students crossing the street in front of Los Alamitos High School, the City Council has asked the city staff for a timetable on installing a traffic signal.

The council stopped short of approving money for the Cerritos Avenue project, deciding a better time to do so would be in January, when the item could be added to the midyear budget.

A painted crosswalk in front of the school was removed in the spring after a student was struck by a car while using the crosswalk. The student was not seriously hurt.

The council decided the painted crosswalk was not always visible to motorists and gave students a “false sense of security” in crossing the street.

Signs have been posted instead, warning students not to jaywalk, said Mike Brotemarkle, city community development director. Students must now cross at Humbolt Street or Los Alamitos Boulevard.

There is still some debate as to what sort of crossing will be used, but “that one design aspect” could be determined at a later date, Councilman Ronald Bates said at the council meeting this week.