Safety hazard noted

Concerned parents and school officials at Palm Crest Elementary are looking for a solution to a parking problem during pick-up time that seems to leave children at risk.

An electronic newsletter sent out Monday by Palm Crest Elementary PTA President Jennifer Rubendall and Principal Anais Wenn addressed the issue and the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station is currently working on possible solutions.

The problem, as stated in the letter, stems from parents parking on both sides of Orchard Lane at 2:50 p.m., blocking other drivers’ views and potentially putting children trying to cross the street at risk.

“There are always [safety] measures being taken,” said Dep. Eric Matejka of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station. “It’s always a safety issue for us. We’re doing our best to make sure it’s a safe environment.”

“Since the start of this school year,” Wenn wrote in the letter, “between six and 11 families have been parking their cars on both sides of Orchard Lane and waiting for their children to walk down from school. As cars have been coming up the hill to turn left onto Orchard, they have been forced to weave between cars on both sides and children attempting to cross.

“It’s my worst nightmare that a child would have to be injured before parents realized the seriousness of this traffic violation on a much-used pedestrian path each afternoon.”