Concern grows over unsafe student crossings near Naples High School

NAPLES, Fla. — Community members near Naples High School are raising concerns about student safety as teenagers cross a busy road during afternoon dismissal.

Residents in the area say this has become a daily occurrence, as students attempt to navigate multiple lanes of traffic without the presence of a crossing guard in that specific area.

Jessica Lahaie, a local, said, “I have actually personally seen a few close calls and potential accidents. So I do think that it is a problem that really needs to be addressed.”

Andi Tuttle, another local, shared her experience, saying, “There was a group of maybe eight or nine teenagers walking up the sidewalk from the mall side, and they just crossed the street, no regard for anything. I don't know that they even checked the street. It was really concerning.”

Lahaie, a Naples High School graduate, recalls making the same crossing herself. “I was a kid crossing over back when I was in high school. It doesn't seem like there's a lot of concern regarding those kids and them crossing that busy road. We see these teenagers, as you know, fully capable adults, but at the same time, they are still kids. Their brains are still developing, and they need that support from the community,” said Lahaie.

The City of Naples indicated that law enforcement is responsible for determining if additional safety measures are necessary.

WINK News reached out to law enforcement for a response and is awaiting information.

For now, students continue to cross the busy road during afternoon dismissals.