Oil City School District has been looking into a dangerous crossing on Plummer Street in Oil City.
Oil City Superintendent Lynda Weller said the district has reached out to the City of Oil City, which placed a “child crossing” sign there.
In addition, John McNerney, the longtime school security officer for the district until his retirement this week, had been crossing an elementary-age child every day at the location.
Weller said she and the district are continuing to look into the situation.
McNerney said a crossing guard from a nearby bus stop will continue to make sure that the child gets safely across the street every day now that he has retired.
The child gets dropped off at the bus stop and must walk down Plummer Street in the side where there is a sidewalk and then cross near the blind curve to get home, McNerney said. He added that the street is very busy and many vehicles come around the curve fast.
“I’ve never encountered a crossing like this,” said McNerney, who has been part of the Cornplanter fire place for decades and has responded to hundreds of emergency situations. “It’s not safe for anyone,” he added.
Last year, the city put up a “watch for children” sign with a blinking light near the blind curve, city manager Mark Schroyer said.
He said it isn’t feasible to designate the area as a school zone and added that putting up flashing lights is cost prohibitive.
Schroyer noted that putting up a mirror there has been suggested, but mirrors like that are rarely used and are often more of a liability than a help.
“We’ve done what we could, we’re limited in what we can do,” Schroyer said. “Ultimately, the school district is responsible for bus stops.”
For more local news, visit TheDerrick.com.
