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MILFORD - For Milford resident Dan Chamberlain, it's a concern about his children's civil rights being violated.
For Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs, it's a concern about children's safety.
The issue at hand is whether Milford Town Council should pass an ordinance prohibiting children from crossing the street at the intersection of Catherine and Higbee. There is a light and designated crossing one block north on West Emeline Street.
Hobbs asked the council in March to consider an ordinance to ticket children who cross at the intersection of Catherine and Higbee. Hobbs said the intersection is a dangerous place for children to cross, especially since they can cross at the West Emeline stoplight. There is also a paid adult crossing guard at the light in the morning and in the afternoon.
He said Milford principal Cindy Kaiser has told students not to cross at the dangerous intersection, but children continue to do so.
The town's attorney, Jay Rigdon, said under Indiana code, local authority can prohibit the use of crosswalks. Rigdon said it is presumed residents can cross at any crosswalk but a town can prohibit a specific crosswalk for crossing.
Chamberlain said, "I believe it goes too far in telling people where they can and cannot walk."
Police, he said, have more important duties to perform than ticketing children from crossing the street at the wrong place. He said it is parents' responsibility to teach their children where and how to cross.
"Don't tell my kids they have to go to one spot and one spot only," Chamberlain said. "If the parents are that concerned about the safety issue, let the parents do it. Not the school. Not the town."
Council president Robert Beer II said, "If we can prevent one accident, what's the value of one life?"
Chamberlain responded by saying the best solution is to empower a student to be a crossing guard at the light and have the paid crossing guard stand at Catherine and Higbee.
Hobbs said he and the school plan on holding public meetings with parents to discuss their options. Kaiser said today the meeting time and date are not set yet.
"We're trying to get all kinds of direction and help in solving this problem," said Hobbs. He said the intersection is a serious problem and it isn't about taking rights from people about safety.
"I realize this is in the name of safety," Chamberlain said, "but this goes too far."
The Milford town council agreed not to take action until the public meetings were held on the intersection.
In other news, utilities department head Dallas Winchester said spring clean-up will be April 22, 23 and 24. He said Milford residents can make drop-offs at the utilities office from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Assistance will be available to help residents unload.
Winchester also said the "No Parking" signs on the north side of Emeline Street have been installed.
