Crime & Safety
Community Organizes to Make Crosswalk Safer
The city has declared no immediate danger at the crosswalk where a two-year-old was killed on Dec. 1. Rohnert Park residents disagree.
Katie Weber and Michelle Ross feel guilty about the , Ling Murray, 40, who woke up from a medically induced coma last week.
I feel responsible for this accident. It's been dangerous for years; I knew that, and did nothing, Ross said.
"But I can't sit back anymore," she said.
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Ross and Weber take to the streets every day that school is in session. Ross takes the morning shift and Weber takes the afternoon shift.
The two volunteers don neon yellow vests with stop sign in hand, to cross hoards of kids that culminate at that crosswalk on the corner of Snyder Lane and Medical Center Drive — the scene where 18-year-old Sonoma State volleyball star Kaitlyn Dunaway struck the Murrays while texting.
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"This intersection has been a danger for a very long time," said Weber, a mother of three and Rohnert Park resident for the last 13 years. "In light of the recent tragedy, I feel that no longer can we watch our children play the game of 'frogger' or 'freeway' while attempting to cross this very busy vehicular thoroughfare."
Weber is organizing a grassroots movement to make that intersection safer. She and Ross are outraged at the city's Dec. 14 decision to take no immediate action to make that crosswalk safer.
The investigation into the safety of the crosswalk ongoing, but no prior accidents in that crosswalk were found and the city is unaware of any previous complaints about that intersection, said City Manager Gabe Gonzalez.
"I recognize that this can start with me, so I have begun to cross an average of 120 kids across Snyder Lane, Monday through Friday," Weber said. "These kids are scared and have expressed their appreciation to me by saying 'thank you.'"
But Weber and Ross are only getting started. On Thursday, Weber started a facebook page titled "Safer Crosswalks in Rohnert Park" and so far it has 46 "likes."
A recent post read:
"Off to the crosswalk in a bit. Just wanted to put the word out that Michelle and I could use some help out there...Need a few more stay at home Moms or dads to volunteer to cross the kids a few afternoons or mornings a week. Please spread the word about that AND our new facebook page. Thank you!"
Weber is also rallying the same businesses and schools that she did the week after the accident, when a team of neighborhood activists collected 2,100 signatures to let the City Council know that there is a consensus of people who want something done at that intersection.
This time, Weber is asking for monetary donations. She is trying to raise money to purchase two or three 50-pound portable reflective safety signs, at about $200 each.
"When the headlights from a car shine on it, it reflects right back on you, and it says stop when pedestrians are in the crosswalk," Weber said.
So far, Weber has collected $20 from Pro Nails and Spa on Golf Course Drive.
"We're just getting started, but the community has been so supportive. We're asking for small donations, anywhere from $20 to $50," Weber said on a recent day while crossing about 30 kids.
Ashley Fontanelli is a seventh grader at Lawrence E. Jones Middle School, one of the area's four schools.
"I think it's smart that she's crossing people," Fontanelli said. "It's safer and people won't get hurt anymore."
Lucy Farias, also a seventh grader, agreed.
"It makes me feel safer," Farias said.
The crosswalk at Snyder and Medical Center is surrounded by two preschools, and , as well as and Lawrence E. Jones Middle School.
TBC construction supply company in Santa Rosa donated two stop signs and two reflective vests in support.
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