Where’s the Parapet?

When something is stuck in Frume Sarah’s craw, I try to devote no more than one (two, if necessary) post on the topic as it is boring for you, my dear reader, and wearisome for me. A solid guiding principle that will now have a statute of limitations as it is time to revisit the parking situation at the Frumettes’ school.

Not only has it not improved, but it has actually gotten worse. And with no easy solution in sight.

There is currently only one faculty member willing to serve parking lot duty. “Budget cuts?” you say. A reasonable assumption given that the Golden State is now operating for the ninety-fourth day without a budget. But no, not a victim of the budget.

So if not a money issue, what is preventing the teachers from taking advantage of some additional income?

Fear.

Yes, that’s right. The teachers are afraid of the parents. Having been subjected to the specturm of bad behaviour, ranging from being ignored (at best) to being cursed out, our teachers are no longer willing to start their day in such a horrendous fashion before turning to their priority; teaching our children And I do not blame them. Not one little bit.

The City Engineer reports that the anterior (and smaller) parking lot was not meant for parking and ought to be used for drop-off only while the posterior (and larger) parking lot ought to be reserved for staff parking only. Except that the first parking lot would be a horrific mess with parents who already don’t follow the rules. Furthermore, he noted, he street in front of the school is only two lanes and was never intended to handle the amount of traffic it must now accommodate. Beyond this, he has no other suggestions.

And so, parents continue to drop off their elementary students on the major street around the corner, on the street in front of the school, just about anywhere they please. Creating havoc and, I fear, tempting fate.

כִּי תִבְנֶה בַּיִת חָדָשׁ, וְעָשִׂיתָ מַעֲקֶה לְגַגֶּךָ; וְלֹא-תָשִׂים דָּמִים בְּבֵיתֶךָ, כִּי-יִפֹּל הַנֹּפֵל מִמֶּנּוּ

When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof so that you do not bring blood-guilt upon your house if anyone should fall from it. (Deuteronomy 22:8)

This verse, as further elucidated in the Shulkhan Arukh (Hoshen Mishpat 427:6,8), if we do not put into place the barriers that will prevent a fatality, we bear the responsibility of the death. In this case, the death of a child.

Besides blaming the parents, and I do blame those who have an utter lack of regard for the traffic rules, what can be done to keep our kids safe?