Hermosa Beach to keep crossing guard at 5th & PCH through school year, council to reassess routes

Hermosa Beach councilors voted Jan. 13 to retain a crossing guard at the 5th Street and Pacific Coast Highway intersection through the end of the current school year and to reassess routes and staffing later this year.

Staff presented pedestrian counts taken at several intersections and recommended adding the guard at 5th & PCH for the current contract term based on observed crossing volumes. Staff estimated the fiscal impact at about $23,000 for the current fiscal year and noted available Prop C funding.

Councilmember Jackson moved to approve keeping the guard through the school year and to press the crossing-guard vendor for additional counts; his motion — seconded and amended to request an evaluation with the school district of Safe Routes to School — passed with unanimous support. Council discussed alternatives including targeted parent education and possible grant applications to support longer-term safe-route solutions.

What’s next: The crossing guard will remain in place through the school year. Staff will request additional counts from the vendor, pursue discussions with the school district about Safe Routes to School and return with a comprehensive assessment at the end of the school year to guide permanent placement decisions.