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1. Select a location in your city where you’ve observed an urban related issue

2. Add a photo or a youtube video that illustrates the problem

3. Name the urban issue(s), and you may share anything related to this issue with the class using some key words.

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Fatal crash shuts down streets in Covina

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A fatal crash in Covina has shut down streets in the area early Thursday.

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Japanese businesses being pushed out of the area by newcomers who purchase their buildings and then raise rent.

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If the power grid fails because of overused air conditioning, the entire city population is at severe health risk during hot days

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Environmental health disparities (poor air quality, water contamination), high poverty rates in the general San Joaquin Valley, very arid area but major agricultural producer

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they often advertise many ways for pedestrians and bicyclists to make themselves visible at night time & other safety measures from car traffic

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SLOW DOWN! Our crosswalks are filled with students walking, running, biking to and from school, and traffic is heavily congested with freeway, road and school construction projects. Carpinteria drivers are creating unsafe crosswalks for students traveling to/from school. It is unacceptable that three students in crosswalks were hit by drivers last week.

It takes a community effort to implement safety measures as well as to change the behaviors of drivers and pedestrians in school zones to ensure student safety. We appreciate the cooperation of the city, Sheriff's Office and county in working with us to improve safe routes to school.

Currently, Carpinteria Unified School District funds city employs crossing guards at Aliso and Canalino elementary schools. At the crosswalk at Palm and Carpinteria avenues, the city has trained a Carpinteria Middle School security personnel to serve as crossing guards, and at Carpinteria High School, school security personnel monitor the Foothill crosswalk.

Additionally, school site administrators monitor drop-off, pickup, bike and bus areas. Last year, we collaborated with the city in their application for a grant to improve the Foothill crosswalk technology, and although it was not successful, the city has indicated that they will pursue improvements to the crosswalk light and signage.

County Supervisor Das Williams is providing a California Highway Patrol speed display on Foothill to encourage drivers to slow down. School zones are also patrolled by local law enforcement but with only two deputies assigned to our area, a daily presence cannot be expected. CUSD teachers and parents reinforce pedestrian and bike safety, and all elementary students participate in COAST's Safe Routes to School program.

Many suggestions were offered at the Community Crosswalk meeting last week, including parent volunteers to monitor crosswalks, staggering the school start times for Canalino and CHS, using the district office parking lot for Canalino pickup/drop-off, and including CMS and CHS in the Safe Routes program that is offered annually at all the elementary schools. All these suggestions will be considered by the CUSD Leadership Team as we are committed to improving student safety.

Please drive slowly in school zones and stay alert. Remind all children about crosswalk and bike safety. We all need to work together to improve the safety of students and families traveling to and from school.

Diana Rigby is the current superintendent of Carpinteria Unified School District. She is focused on improving teaching and learning for all CUSD students and welcomes parent and community input and feedback. For more information about CUSD, log on to cusd.net, or contact Diana at drigby@cusd.net or (805) 684-4511 x222.

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SLOW DOWN! Our crosswalks are filled with students walking, running, biking to and from school, and traffic is heavily congested with freeway, road and school construction projects. Carpinteria drivers are

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The Inland Empire is built to be very car dependent. The spread of needs and amenities makes accessibility difficult. 

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Risk of extreme heat, high rates of air pollution

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In New Orleans flooding can happen anytime, but June, July & August are our rainiest months. When there’s a flood risk, the National Weather Service issues alerts.

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Gentrification, pollution, food insecurity, UHI effect

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The incoming government is trying to rip out well-used bike lanes that have been on Toronto roads for a decade or more, claiming (baselessly) that bike lanes increase congestion.