Sto-Rox School District teams up with police, volunteer organization to keep students safe

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — The Sto-Rox School District is teaming up with the McKees Rocks Police Department and Communities in Schools to keep students in the district safe. They are recruiting community volunteers for the Crossing Guardians program.

“Every day that I come to work, the first 10 things on my list is, how do we keep kids and staff safe?,” said superintendent Megan Van Fossan.

The collaboration comes less than a year after a Sto-Rox senior was shot and killed while walking home from school. A few dozen volunteers will be assigned to designated areas along walking routes and at bus stops, keeping an eye out for student conflict, crime or traffic issues.

“We know a lot of students might be taking a different route home, (so) we want to have someone at least close by that they can know is there,” said Bryan McCarthy, Sto-Rox site coordinator for Communities in Schools.

“We’re asking them to contact the local police, we’re not asking them to intervene. We want them to be present. We know that when there are adults present, there’s less chance of something dangerous happening.”

Organizers say volunteers can be from anywhere, not just Mckees Rocks or Stowe Township, and will dedicate a few hours of their time a week. Right now, the priority is after-school hours, between 2-3 p.m., but if the program gets enough volunteers, organizers will try to work them into the mix in the morning hours when students are heading to school.

“Hopefully other people see what is going on and help out to take care of other people’s kids so nothing happens to them,” said parent Justin Moon.

Click here for more information on how to apply.

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