Volunteers from the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP stationed themselves along popular routes to New Homewood Elementary School Friday morning to help students make their way through the neighborhood's crime-infested streets.
Officials of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said drugs, shootings and other violent acts are part of everyday life in Homewood. The school is located on the 7400 block of Tioga Street.
The volunteer effort came after the state rejected the district's request to pay for bus service. The volunteers also are drumming up support for a permanent student transportation solution.
"It is unacceptable for these children to walk to school in fear," NAACP Pittsburgh branch President Tim Stevens said.
And the fears are many, said New Homewood Elementary School parent Vanesse Rawlings. Her 10-year-old daughter has recess in what she feels is a "crack yard," with drug paraphernalia and prostitutes commonly seen in the area immediately around the school.
"(Parents and children) can't focus on education because we have to be concerned about getting to school. Drug dealers. Crack houses. It's not fair for these children to see this," Rawlings said.
NAACP hopes parents and community members will join them in their efforts between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday mornings to escort children to school.
Beginning Wednesday and lasting through the end of the school year, buses provided by local transit companies using volunteer drivers will transport students.
