UPDATE: Harden Middle School principal reminds parents and students to obey traffic laws

UPDATE 5/20/2015: Harden Middle School Principal Alberto Verduzco responded Wednesday morning to NewsChannel 5’s story Tuesday evening on recent traffic concerns.

Verduzco said he’s sending another message to parents, asking them to drop-off and pick-up their students in a safe manner by following all district rules and traffic laws. He is asking them to not block nearby homes or driveways and to be respectful of their space.

Verduzco said he’s also asking them to be respectful and responsible in asking their children to use sidewalks and walkways to cross the street.

He said the school will continue to work on the issue, reminding parents he’s sent similar messages throughout the year.

PREVIOUS STORY: One parent calls it a traffic nightmare during pick-up and drop-off at Harden Middle School in Salinas.

With cars parked in neighbors driveways and students darting across the street, residents want to see some change as well.

Neighbors living near the school even reached out to NewsChannel 5 on Facebook asking for help.

“Oh, it’s horrible. It’s a nightmare and it’s a wonder to me why kids aren’t killed every day,” said Perri Rios Dominguez, a parent at Harden Middle School.

What Dominguez is describing is students weaving in and out of traffic, cars reduced to a crawl and some drivers stopping on a dime to avoid kids. Those are all things NewsChannel 5 witnessed Tuesday afternoon.

“There needs to be supervision. There needs to be direction from the school district,” Dominguez said.

While parents like Dominguez fear for her children, some residents take issue with parents.

For 20 years, Lorraine Dalsing has called her house near the middle school home.

“My husband is not well we have doctors’ appointments usually always at 9 o’clock in the morning or 3 in the afternoon and we have to circumvent the entire area so we’re not late for our appointments,” Dalsing said.

Dalsing said her list of grievances starts with the traffic and ends with some parents blocking her driveway.

“I’m trying to get out and they seem to be offended that I’m asking them to move so I can get out of my driveway,” she said.

“Find parking down the street,” Dalsing suggested. “When we grew up we walked to school and that was miles.”

Regardless of whether your a parent or a homeowner, they said they want something to be done.

“I wish they would change it, I hope there’s a change,” Dominguez said.

Since last Friday NewsChannel 5 has been making multiple calls and emails to Harden Middle School for a response and they have yet to respond.