Letter to the Editor: Crossing Guards Needed Outside Busy Bayside Intersection

Dear Parents of Maple Dale Students:  

Last Spring my kids wanted to ride their bikes to school, but I wouldn't let them because I didn't feel that the Regent Road and Brown Deer Road intersection was safe.

I witnessed adults being nearly run down while in that crosswalk. Needless to say, my kids were pretty upset with me, so I called the Bayside Police Department and asked about the possibility of "volunteering" to act as a crossing guard for that intersection. Lt. Tom Henkel advised me that we would first have to get an ordinance passed by the Village Board that would allow for crossing guards, then volunteers would need to be recruited and trained.

This summer, Lt. Henkel was able to get the ordinance passed and is now offering to email a PowerPoint presentation to volunteers who wish to train from home. If you decide to volunteer, please contact Lt. Henkel at the contact information below to give him your name and phone/address. If you like, you can join me on Sept. 6t at 7:45 a.m. at the corner of Regent Road and Brown Deer Road for some one-on-one training with Lt. Henkel.

If you are unable to join us then, but still want to volunteer, Lt. Henkel will schedule your first shift with a police officer.  I realize this is asking a lot, especially with our work schedules, but I would like to see Maple Dale students who live north of Brown Deer Rd. have a safe route to school if they want to ride their bikes. If we get enough volunteers, we may be able to get the shifts down to once a week. The times are being worked out, but I think it would be 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Lt. Henkel can be reached at 414-351-8800, on his cell at 414-881-7800, or via email.  

Thank You!!
Kelly