Community calls for bus stop safety at Cape Coral meeting

The tragic death of 8-year-old Layla Aiken has sparked an emotional debate over bus stop safety in Cape Coral. A memorial for Aiken sits near the school bus stop where a truck hit and killed her last week.

Community members packed the Cape Coral City Council meeting Monday night to ask the same question.

“How many more of our children need to die before this community does something?” Randi Romanoff said at the meting.

Friends of Aiken appeared at the meeting to speak directly to city leaders.

“On Monday, March 25, 2019, my friend Layla Aiken was killed in a hit-and-run accident in North Cape Coral,” 10-year-old Lillian Goff said. “She was just two years younger than me.”

Parents and kids lined up at Cape Coral City Hall to urge council members to make school bus stops safer.

“We’re here today hoping we can make a change. Every kid like me deserves a safe way to get to school, and we need your help,” Goff said.

Some have already come up with ways to help on their own, such as Romanoff, founder of Lights for Layla. The organization has raised more than $80,000 for increased safety at bus stops.

“Although there was one driver that literally ran his pickup truck over an 8-year-old little girl, we are all at fault,” Romanoff said. “The school board, transportation, city officials, and us as teachers, parents and our entire community.”

Mayor Joe Coviello and council members promised action. They said the city is evaluating bus stops, reviewing sidewalks and benches and volunteer opportunities for parents to monitor stops.

Anyone who wants to submit further ideas to improve bus stop safety may email city council members directly.

Members of the public called for better lighting, more benches, stop signs and volunteer supervision at the meeting.

“We will not give up until our children are safe,” Romanoff said.

Cape Coral Police Department has not made an arrest but say they have a person of interest in the hit-and-run

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