Ensuring Child Safety: Stop Signs Needed At This Bismarck School

School is officially in session for just about all of our area schools. 

Mandan started school yesterday and Bismarck Public Schools began last Wednesday.

On my way to the gym daily, I drive by this school named Roosevelt Elementary.

What is shocking to me is that there is an uncontrolled or open intersection at North Griffen Street and West Avenue A (no stop signs) right next to the school.

Even up the block at the intersection of North Griffen Street and West Avenue B, there are only a couple of yield signs on West Avenue B. On the other side of the school, it's even worse with two open intersections.  Here's a map of these intersections so you can see what I'm talking about.

I guess what I'm getting at is how can we NOT have a four-way stop at all of the intersections around this and EVERY school in town. 

How much money do four stop signs cost anyway?  This is an absolute no-brainer in my book.  Why we would have open intersections at any school in this city is beyond me.

Let's face it, even adults have a hard time navigating open intersections in town (nobody seems to know who has the right away), let alone elementary kids.

(Read more about how nobody seems to know how to drive open/uncontrolled intersections here.)

I'm guessing this school has crossing guards at these intersections but what about times when they are not on duty? 

Kids can and occasionally do come to school early or late and the same with leaving.  It just seems like a good insurance policy for the safety of our children.  Yes, there is a school crossing sign but that is not enough in my opinion.

I asked former Bismarck Mayor Steve Bakken how this could happen with our public schools.  Apparently, the cost of signalized crossings is shared by the city and the school district.

The same would apply to metal stop signs.  So, does it all come down to money?  Again, how much would it cost to put up four stop signs at all four of these intersections?  At the very least, this is what should happen for the safety of all kids at every single school in town.