Upland crossing guards return to their posts after the death of a child hit and killed a few blocks from Cabrillo Elementary School. Annette Arreola reports for the NBC4 News at Noon on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015.
Crossing guards will be posted at busy intersections near a school in Upland starting Tuesday morning following a tragic hit-and-run.
The move comes after an emotional plea from the mother of 11-year-old Isaiah Shelton-Dobine, who was fatally struck by a car while he was walking to Cabrillo Elementary School back in October. That same month, parents and residents marched to petition for safer streets for students.
Shelton-Dobine was hit by a Jeep Cherokee driver who left the scene. The driver, identified by Upland police as 25-year-old Jason Fehr, was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run.
Upland City Council unanimously approved the measure to station two paid guards at the busiest crossings, while an emergency measure to use volunteers guards at other locations for the time being also passed.
"I gave these children and these parents and the community, I gave them my word that I would be here," volunteer crossing guard Ismael Nieves said. "That I would stick here until the crossing guards come."
There had been no crossing guards near the school for almost five years due to finance issues.
"You have those people who think that, 'Oh you just took five seconds of my day because I was trying to turn this corner and I have to wait an extra light,'" Nieves said. "Really, what is five seconds compared to a possible life?"
