Deputies to patrol near school

Officers will step up patrols at an intersection and at the Pinellas Trail near Ridgecrest Elementary.

By ERIC STIRGUS

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 18, 2000

LARGO -- They all agreed the busy intersection of 119th Street N and Ulmerton Road is too treacherous for children of Ridgecrest Elementary School to cross.

That was the easy part.

The more vexing question that faced about 12 parents, school administrators, sheriff's officials, traffic engineers, residents and others Tuesday was just how to make the crossing safer without using a crossing guard.

After a 90-minute meeting at the school, here's what they came up with:

Deputies will increase patrols around the intersection, looking for traffic violators. Pinellas sheriff's Sgt. Teri Dioquino, who announced the decision, said she was nearly struck by a vehicle as she drove near the intersection for the meeting.

Dioquino also said she would request that deputies step up their patrols around an area of the Pinellas Trail near the school. That may help parents feel more comfortable about sending their children across a trail overpass a few blocks east of the intersection.

Some parents refuse to allow their children near the overpass because they're worried about the people who loiter near it.

"I like the idea of having the sheriff's deputies on the trail," said Tara Booze, an area resident who volunteers at the school. "But something needs to happen to 119th and Ulmerton, not only for the children, but for the sake of the community."

Many parents and community leaders requested a crossing guard at the intersection. Dioquino said she would not recommend one because the intersection is too dangerous.

"When I look at those precious little babies walking around here, I won't do it," she said, staring at children walking past from the school cafeteria.

Dioquino and Ridgecrest Elementary School officials had suggested having school buses ferry children across the intersection, but representatives from the School Board said that could not be done. The School Board, citing budget constraints, stoppedbusing children who live within 2 miles of a school in 1998. Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed legislation last year that would have provided money for such programs.

Residents asked whether an overpass could be built closer to the intersection. County officials who attended the meeting said they doubted the state Department of Transportation, which would have to approve such construction, would finance such a project. Principal Anne Stuckey said school fliers will urge students to walk across the overpass.

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