Concerns about student safety during commutes have been heightened following the tragic incident involving Alfred Hale, an 18-year-old Dunbar High School student, who was shot and killed near the RTA hub in downtown Dayton. The incident occurred while he was transferring buses, casting a spotlight on the dangers faced by students traveling to and from school.
Community activists have voiced their demand for change, emphasizing the necessity for collaborative efforts to ensure student safety. Calls for action were reinforced during a recent press conference attended by representatives from Neighborhoods Over Politics, Black Lives Matter Dayton, and Racial Justice Now. The groups criticized the current adult leadership in Dayton, holding them accountable for failing the youth.
In the wake of Hale’s death on April 4, city and state leaders have proposed changes, citing the RTA hub as an unsuitable location for high school students. Activists stress the need for a comprehensive plan involving all stakeholders, underscoring the importance of evidence-based strategies to safeguard children.
Concerns extend beyond Hale’s tragic death. On April 1, another shooting near Main and Fourth Streets injured a 46-year-old man, and last October, a fatal shooting occurred near the same RTA hub. These incidents highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response to address safety issues.
Efforts by the Greater Dayton RTA to manage the influx of students include deploying additional buses. However, RTA leaders, including CEO Bob Ruzinsky, emphasize that they cannot serve as a solution for school transportation needs.
Data from the Dayton Police Department indicates a significant increase in calls for service in the RTA hub area, coinciding with Dayton Public Schools’ decision to use RTA buses for student transportation starting in August 2022. Assistant Police Chief Eric Henderson points to the disruptive potential of a few individuals, stressing the importance of focusing on safe student commutes.
Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein articulated concerns about the impact of unsupervised teens in the downtown business district, which is crucial for the city’s economic vitality. Noting that traditional yellow buses are deemed the safest option for high school students, she emphasized the need for a viable transportation solution.
Dialogue continues among city, school, and RTA leaders to devise a plan that accommodates all parties. One potential solution involves utilizing RTA’s limited service routes tailored to school transportation needs. Although discussions are underway, a concrete plan has yet to materialize, with financial constraints cited as a significant hurdle due to Ohio’s mandate to transport all charter and private school students.
