Safety Officer Rotondi gives parents an "F"
Published on October 6th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Police Department Safety Officer Larry Rotondi gives Middle School and Central School parents an "F" in safety.
"I am really mad," Rotondi said about the drop off habits of parents he has witnessed at the two schools. "We have to set a better example for our children."
Rotondi said dropping kids off at red lights or at business parking lots across from the schools away from crosswalks and traffic supervisors is unacceptable.
"I see parents letting kids get out into traffic, opening the door into traffic and letting the kids cut between cars," Rotondi said.
"If they don't have time to bring the kids to the crosswalks, the kids would be better walking to school," Rotondi added.
Of course not all parents are guilty of this dangerous behavior, but an exasperated Rotondi said enough people were ignoring his advice that he wanted to speak out.
"If parents do not follow the rules and show their children the ways to be safe, something horrible is going to happen," Rotondi said.
The proper way to drop off children, according to Rotondi, is to pull over into a legal parking spot and let the children exit the car on the sidewalk side. The children should then proceed to the traffic supervisor stationed at the nearest crosswalk.
Cars passing buses which have stopped to pick up or let off children are another source of concern for Rotondi.
"We have to take the responsibility to protect our children," he said.
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