Walking audits: A closer look at safety at Fresno County Schools

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno County is actively looking for ways to improve school zones by conducting walking audits during drop-off and pickup times over the next few weeks.

The schools include Addams Elementary School, Riverdale Elementary School, Calwa Elementary School, Riverdale High School, Cantua Elementary School, Tranquility Elementary School, Caruthers Elementary School, Tranquillity High School, Caruthers High School, Washington Colony Elementary School, Del Rey Elementary School, Washington Union High School, Fipps Primary School, West Park Elementary School and Powers-Ginsburg Elementary School.

“It’s important that kids have a safe way to walk to school …or even if they are getting picked up from the bus they have a safe place to wait,” said Erin Haagenson with the Department of Fresno County Public Works.

She says students and parent could see several changes to their commutes relatively soon.

“Improvements might be restriping a crosswalk or putting in additional signs about school speed zones,” Haagenson said.

Those are just a few short-term improvements, but the study could reveal the need for more long-term changes, like adding a new stoplight to an intersection or adding a new sidewalk.

Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez will take part in the process and says it’s important for the community to give their feedback.

“What better way to find out what is going on than to talk to the people that have to live there every single day,” Chavez said.

The county will be doing additional walking audits in the months to come.

Those who feel a walking audit needs to be done at school near them can email the county at shuerta@fresnocounty.ca.gov