Deputies assist with school traffic

As a mother of two AC Stelle Middle School students, an active member of the PFC and a driver recently ticketed by Officer McGee of the sheriff's department, I want to express my sincere thanks to the sheriff's department for all their traffic support this year. We really needed it.

The only ingress and egress for AC Stelle Middle School is at Mulholland Highway and Paul Revere Drive which is an extremely challenging intersection to negotiate, particularly in the morning at school drop off and then again in the afternoons.

I have always been concerned about drivers' etiquette and the use of extra patience when dealing with the car congestion and the timing of the left-hand turn arrow, righthand turners, crossing guards and the masses of students crossing in both directions.

Unless you have experienced this first hand it really is difficult to appreciate the intricacies of the intersection. Honestly, driving onto and off of campus at peak hours takes some getting used to as well as some swallowing of pride when the person behind you blows their horn because you didn't turn on a yellow light. That is only one of the many problems associated with AC Stelle traffic.

As a selfproclaimed "conscience driver" I was recently cited for turning left while the crossing guard was still in the crosswalk. My dissatisfaction was only enlightened by the happiness I felt in seeing the deputies out patrolling and writing tickets to everyone who did what I did. These deputies put up with a lot from us and I want to commend them for enduring our wrath.

We need to learn to drive better. We need to follow the rules, especially when children are present, to show more courtesy to the crossing guards and to all the other cars we encounter at drop off and pick up. Wave to a deputy and thank them for protecting us and our families.

We have needed them all year long and this recent showing of support for our troubled intersection of impatient drivers has so helped allay my anxieties. Even I have to be extra careful.

So, thank you, Officer McGee, for your hard work and kindness. I put the plates on my car. Can you sign off on my ticket for me? Andrea McNeill-Levy Woodland Hills