Montreal West parents and students are hailing a crossing guard installed for the 2025‑2026 school year as a brief but welcome safety measure after three students were injured at a local intersection over the past two years. The temporary position was introduced by the school board in response to the injuries, which had raised concerns among families about pedestrian safety near the schools.
The guard began duties at the start of the 2025‑2026 academic year, providing a visible presence at the crossing during peak traffic times. Parents reported feeling more secure sending their children to school, noting that the guard helped direct traffic and alert drivers to the presence of young pedestrians. While the role was limited to a single school year, community members expressed relief that the board acted promptly after the incidents.
Despite the positive reception, the crossing guard position will not be made permanent. The school board has indicated that the deployment was always intended as a temporary solution, tied specifically to the 2025‑2026 school year. Officials have not disclosed plans for a long‑term arrangement, leaving the future of the intersection’s safety measures uncertain.
Local parents have voiced mixed feelings, grateful for the immediate protection yet wary that the lack of a permanent guard could leave the crossing vulnerable again. The three injuries that prompted the guard’s installation occurred within a two‑year span, highlighting a pattern of risk that the community hopes will be addressed through other means, such as engineering changes or increased driver awareness campaigns.
As the school year progresses, families continue to monitor the situation, hoping that the temporary guard’s impact will inspire lasting improvements. The episode underscores how short‑term interventions can provide immediate relief while broader, sustainable solutions remain under discussion.