Bayport Parent's Open Letter: Safety Issues at Middle School Pick-Up Time

The Patch received the following letter this week from a concerned Bayport-Blue Point school district parent who is hoping the district as well as residents will do something to improve safety of students during the pick-up time at the James Wilson Young Middle School.

Dear Patch,

I am a concerned Bayport resident.  As you know there has not been bus service in Bayport since 1990 and parents are driving the kids to school.

I have noticed that traffic laws are being broken all over the town in regards to speeding down residential side streets, blowing stop signs and reckless driving.  

I live close to Sylvan Ave Elementary school and JWY Middle school with children attending both schools. We live close enough to walk, but the streets are unsafe!

Even driving my kids I feel we are cheating an accident everyday. Cars race up and down my block well over the speed limit and are blowing stop signs and racing to beat cars passing cars parked on the side of the road.

There are no crossing guards on the west side of the school (Barrett Ave entrance) and there is a gross lack of police presence in Bayport. Its just a matter of time before someone gets hurt!  

Maybe a reminder of driving safely to parents who are driving there kids to school can be posted on the patch. Thank you.

A Concerned Parent

Patch wants to know your view on the safety issue at school pickup time. Is a crossing guard needed? Should there be a security guard watching traffic? Would the issue be solved if more kids walked and less parents drove?  Share your comments below.