Janelle Jones: We Need Crossing Guards At All LCSCD#1 Crosswalks

The mother of a 13-year-old McCormick Junior High School student who was struck and killed in a school crosswalk in 2021 wants crossing guards at all school crosswalks in the district.

But a spokeswoman for the district says there is not enough staff available to make sure that happens when volunteers aren't filling the role of crossing guards.

Janelle Jones is the mother of 13-year-old Makaili "Mak" Evans, who was on his way to school when a woman driving a Ford Escape eastbound on Western Hills Boulevard hit him in the crosswalk in front of McCormick on Nov. 5, 2021. Evans was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center with critical injuries where he was later pronounced dead.

In Mak's memory, and to promote school zone safety, Mak's mom, Janelle Jones launched "For Mak.''

Jones Post Plea For Crossing Guards On "For Mak'' Page

On the ''For Mak" Facebook page this week, Jones posted a statement which reads in part:

''It is with a heavy heart that I share this news today.

We have been working diligently towards creating a “Safer Route to School” (SRTS)

for the children in our community.

I have attended the majority of SRTS meetings in over a year to meet with many individuals, City and School officials, and another nonprofit. Collectively we give suggestions and work towards improvements and safety.

Today we learned that LCSD#1 has cited too many liabilities in my “strong suggestion” for crossing guards at all schools. After multiple meetings and my asking at each one of them for an update. I finally heard the news today that they DECLINED my suggestion. However, they did state that the schools that have admin or principals who have their own plan for crossing guards can continue to do so, but LCSD#1 is not going to get involved in how each individual school is doing that, nor do they want to consider volunteer waivers or training for this type of program.

I am terribly disappointed in this decision due to the fact that I believe with all my heart that my son Mak would still be with us today if there was adult supervision at the crosswalk.

I SINCERELY HOPE THEY RECONSIDER.

There has to be a way because it is a “liability” for children to cross busy roads with “more than ever” distracted drivers.

I believe there are 3 components here:

1- Infrastructure

2-Education for drivers and pedestrians

3-Crossing Guards

Myself and other #ForMak board members have volunteered at crosswalks. I personally loved getting to meet the students.

It is a wonderful way to connect and help the community. Not everyone can volunteer due to work and other responsibilities, I understand that, but we all do have a responsibility to the children in our community to make them feel safe and secure. No child should be injured or killed walking to or from school.''

We asked Laramie County School District#1 for a comment, Spokeswoman Mary Quast gave us the followiing in an email

We are very appreciative of community efforts to serve as crossing guards to ensure the safety of our children. However, if the district organizes the activity of volunteers, it then assumes an obligation that community volunteers will indeed be able to show up every day at every school. Further, because each school setting is unique, multiple crosswalks spanning several blocks may be part of a student's walking route to school each requiring a crossing guard. When these expectations are not met by volunteers, the District does not have the staff necessary to ensure coverage at every crosswalk. The District is committed to continuing conversations with the city and community to ensure our students' safety as they travel to and from school.