Traffic Flowing Smoothly Again at Roosevelt Drive

After a rough start to the school year for drivers traffic is a lot less crowded at one of two main entrances to and .

For the first few days drivers entering the campus from Hudson Drive did so without the aid of a security guard, who had directed traffic in the busy morning and afternoon rush hours for the past several years.

Capt. Paul Canfield said the department had gotten a few complaints at the end of this past school year regarding the security officer, who is not a school employee but is contracted by the district through Metro Security.

Canfield said the police department told the district he couldn't direct traffic, because he's not a trained police officer, until they determined if he had a lawful right to do so.

"He is back in place and we have no objection to doing that at this point," Canfield said.

The lack of help in directing drivers upset some parents, who took to Facebook to complain about the issue.

Jim Soyars, director of business services for , said the first few days of school were a little rough for drivers and the district fielded numerous calls about the missing security officer.

Those calls were directed to the police department.

"I was fielding them on an hourly basis for the first couple of days of school," Canfield said.

The police department determined that any liability issues related to the security guard directing traffic would fall on the school district and the security firm.

Soyars said the guard is back directing traffic from about 7 to 7:30 a.m. and 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. on week days — to the delight of parents.

"As of this last Monday he’s been able to direct traffic out there and it’s been working out great," Soyars said. "They’re so happy he’s back. It’s really helpful to have him out there at that intersection those two times of the school day."