WINDSOR -- Emergency crews in Windsor are highlighting how safety can be compromised in school zones.
Representatives demonstrated the potential issues with illegal stopping and parking at a local elementary school on Tuesday morning.
A Windsor fire truck was slowly driven down Chilver Road past an elementary school to provide parents and area residents a first-hand demonstration of the danger being caused by “illegal drop-off congestion.”
Deputy Fire Chief Andrea DeJong says if people don’t start obeying the signage near schools, someone could get hurt.
“We needed to find a way to send home the message that dropping off kids right next to a school in a no stopping zone is dangerous,” says DeJong. “Fire trucks, ambulances, even police cruisers are hard pressed to get past congestion like we see around schools.”
Windsor Police, Parking Enforcement, Environmental Services, Windsor Fire and Rescue Services and the Greater Essex County District School board took part in the demonstration.
DeJong hopes the demonstration is a “wake-up call” to parents.
Tuesday’s event follows years of parking enforcement blitzes at area schools trying to address concerns of illegal parking and stopping – which are creating safety issues for students and residents.
The city encourages parents to look at other options such as parking a block away from the school and walking with their children, or allowing children to walk to school from home if they live close enough.
Parents are also encouraged to allow children to ride the school bus if eligible, as some buses arrive half full at some local schools.
