SAN DIEGO — Parents in San Diego's Kensington neighborhood are breathing a sigh of relief after the city agreed to install stop signs outside Franklin Elementary School.
It's something they had been pushing for since 2023.
Last week, notices were placed at the corner of Copeland and Monroe Avenues saying a pair of stop signs would be installed within the next two weeks.
One parent who spearheaded the effort told CBS 8 he believes it’s the result of their constant advocacy despite the city initially telling them no.
"I'm really excited to see a stop sign being put up here," said Justin Schiffer.
Schiffer is one of several parents who have been pushing for stop signs, saying while there are already two, every corner of the four corner intersection needs to have one for the safety of students and their families who use it daily.
“There is only a two-way stop, but a four-way intersection. And, so what happens is, we have drivers who are going through the intersection and route to work and running late, and our students are walking past trying to get to school, and a lot of times not looking like all students do, and even when they're with their parents. So, what happens is there's a near miss pretty frequently," said Schiffer.
There's a school safety patrol made up of older students who are trying to fill the gap, but Schiffer says they're sometimes yelled at by frustrated drivers, making the situation even more dangerous.
"We're trying to avoid an accident. We had one in Kensington last spring, and we just really want to avoid another tragedy," said Schiffer.
In March of 2023, a six year old boy died after the car he was in was hit while trying to cross the nearby intersection of Biona Drive and Adams Avenue.
A crosswalk was installed eight months later.
Schiffer told CBS 8 parents at Franklin Elementary have long pushed for stop signs, but the city's traffic division denied their request because the area didn't meet certain criteria.
Despite that, he started a petition calling on the city to do something.
He also reached out to area leaders and got the backing of the SDUSD Board of Education, as well as the community's planning group.
On top of that, he contacted CBS8, telling the city the media would get involved.
Then, without warning, last week, the city put up notices announcing stop signs would be installed.
"Through that sort of advocacy, we eventually succeeded," said Schiffer.
Schiffer encourages others with similar concerns to do the same.
CBS 8 reached out to the city.
A spokesperson said:
“Although the intersection didn't initially qualify for an all-way stop according to council policy 200-08, after further coordination with the community and council office, it was decided that an all-way stop is warranted at this intersection given its proximity to the school and to further improve safety for the students walking to school.”