SAN ANTONIO – Since the hit-and-run death of Tatyiana Babineaux last January, the school zones around Larkspur Elementary in Northeast Independent School District have been improved in time for classes resuming next week.
"The improvements were overdue," said Susan Del Toro, the principal at Larkspur. "We have a lot of students who walk to school and safety needs to be a priority."
One of those students was 9-year-old Tatyiana who was struck down as she walked across Braesview in the early-morning darkness while on a cellphone with her mother.
"It was one of the one worst things that's happened to me since I came on council," said Joe Krier, who represents District 9 of the City Council.
Yet Krier said it also inspired him to ask for a citywide inventory of hundreds of school zones to see if they need improvements like those around Larkspur, including reflective crosswalks, improved signage, and an overhead flashing beacon and mast arms on Braesview.
"It just seemed to me we shouldn't stop with just one school zone, that we should look citywide at this issue," Krier said.
Krier said city staff will begin the inventory soon after the budget process ends.
"I expect to see a lot of neighborhoods around the city where we need to improve sidewalks, signage, crosswalks, and other things that will help kids get to and from schools easier," Krier said.
He said how to pay for the necessary work depends on the magnitude of the problem.
Krier said the $90,000 improvements around Larkspur Elementary were paid using his council discretionary account and city funds.
He said once the inventory is done, "That will be a chance to sit down with the school districts and the city and say, OK, how do we best fix this?"
In addition, with the help of Northeast ISD, Krier said parents will be getting phone calls with a voice message from him urging them to talk to their children about pedestrian safety.
Among his suggestions, "Do not walk while distracted, put cellphones and other electronics away. Always cross at a green light, at a crosswalk and make sure drivers see you before stepping off the curb."
Krier said his efforts to improve school zone safety are his way of fulfilling his promise to Tatyiana's mother, Gina Babineaux, who he met at her funeral.
He said, "That's why we're doing this, to make sure it doesn't happen to other little kids."
Tatyiana's principal said it took her death to increase awareness about school zones.
Del Toro said, "It is a legacy that Tatyiana is leaving behind for all children in our city."