Tulsa Crossing Guard Pushes for Safer School Zones

Police outline challenges in allocating resources to monitor all school zones in the city.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:49pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crossing guard's stop sign, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, capturing the stark, gritty reality of the hazardous conditions crossing guards face in this community.A crossing guard's stop sign, a symbol of the dangerous conditions they face on Tulsa's streets.Today in Tulsa

A north Tulsa crossing guard has spoken out about the unsafe working conditions she faces due to speeding drivers near school zones, prompting the Tulsa Police Department to explain the challenges they face in allocating resources to monitor all school zones in the city of 430,000 people.

Why it matters

School zone safety is a critical issue, as children's lives are at risk from reckless drivers. This story highlights the need for better enforcement and community partnerships to address the problem.

The details

The crossing guard, who wished to remain anonymous, has witnessed dangerous driving behavior at several Tulsa schools, including Springdale Elementary, Elliot Elementary, and Marshall Elementary. She is calling for harsher fines for speeding drivers and more police presence to help keep students and crossing guards safe. Captain Meulenberg of the Tulsa Police Department acknowledged the challenges, noting that the department has to balance school zone safety with addressing other citywide issues, but said they rely on community input to identify problem areas.

  • The crossing guard spoke out about the issue last week.

The players

Crossing Guard

An anonymous crossing guard in north Tulsa who has witnessed dangerous driving behavior near several local schools.

Captain Meulenberg

A captain with the Tulsa Police Department who discussed the challenges of allocating resources to monitor all school zones in the city.

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What they’re saying

“It's just like we're left out for the wolves and to defend ourselves and the parents and the kids. I want to see something being done, like a harder fine or something for the drivers who are speeding. At least we need a whistle or, like the horn, we can blow to let them know, or the police. We need police out there.”

— Crossing Guard

“We also have lots of other issues in the city that we're dealing with at the same time, but safety is a priority, so we're going to allocate the resources necessary to keep these safe. But also, it's impossible to think, in a city with 430,000 people, that we can be everywhere, all the time, all at once.”

— Captain Meulenberg, Tulsa Police Department

What’s next

The Tulsa Police Department has encouraged residents to contact their local division commanders directly to report school zone safety concerns, as the department relies on community input to identify problem areas.

The takeaway

This story highlights the need for better coordination and resource allocation between law enforcement and local communities to address the critical issue of school zone safety. While the police department faces challenges in monitoring all areas, community engagement and partnership will be key to improving conditions for crossing guards and students.