By K. Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, Mo. – The city of St. Louis is joining the public school district in ensuring the safety of some 41,000 students who'll return to class on Monday.
St. Louis mayor Francis Slay says the city will provide 60 adult crossing guards for elementary schools. He's also asking a local community group to recruit volunteers who'll walk with children to bus stops and make sure they board safely. Also, the district has been inspecting more than 160 bus stops for safety hazards.
Safety director Charles McCrary says in the event a child boards the wrong bus or gets off at the wrong stop, the district will take them to a safe place.
"This year we're going to have two schools, one north and one south, Yeatman and Long, that will be staffed with people who can take charge of these students until we can get their parents notified to come pick them up," McCrary said.
St. Louis police will also increase patrols in key areas of the city to help students get to school.