Parents demand safer streets for East River High School students

Channel 9’s investigation into rapid growth in Bithlo raised questions about whether roads and infrastructure are keeping up. Now, parents are raising another concern: the safety of students walking to and from East River High School.They said dangerous conditions near the school are putting children at risk.It’s very dark when Samantha Parrish drops her daughter off at East River High School nearly every morning.Related-- Too many cars, not enough roads? 9 Investigates crash data in BithloPoor lighting and limited pedestrian protections at East River Falcons Way, near SR-50 and CR-419, are putting kids at risk, Parrish said.“You can’t see them at all when it’s dark until it’s too late,” Parrish said.It’s an area MetroPlan Orlando has identified as part of its High Injury Network. Following our investigation into Bithlo’s rapid growth, parents said student safety needs to be part of the conversation.Now, there’s some progress.Related-- Students, parents concerned about roadwork area