January 2004, #16


Alameda’s Unsung Heroes

At 7:30 a.m., a time many people are at home, drinking coffee and getting ready for the day ahead, Alameda’s school crossing guards are on the streets, even if it is bitterly cold and rainy, ready to assist children across the street to school. From 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. and from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m., crossing guards, with their telltale orange vests and hand-held stop signs, provide a valuable safety net for young travelers.

Sadly, many motorists do not stop for children in school zones, so crossing guards must be alert at all times. Crossing guards are authorized by the police to ensure safe crossings for children. When the hand held stop sign is raised in the air, all motorists are required to stop.

If you are driving down the street and you see a group of children from the nearby school gathering on the corner and the crossing guard steps off the curb with the stop sign in an upraised position, a motorist must stop until all the children are safely on the other side of the street.

It is important to allow enough time for the crossing guard to return safely onto the curb. Children are spontaneous and as long as they see the crossing guard “in the crosswalk” with a sign, a child might think it is still okay to dart across. (California Vehicle Code, section 2815).

Beyond safe street crossing, children get to know the crossing guards and develop a true friendship with them. There is something special about seeing a familiar face every morning and afternoon – someone who is looking out for you. And these bonds continue as the children advance through school. Crossing guards become another set of friendly eyes in the community.

Paden Elementary’s crossing guard is “very personable and when she sees my son walking to the intersection, she keeps her eye on him,“ says a Paden parent. “She has a lot of authority and takes her job seriously, and I appreciate that,” he said.

Zack, a Paden 4th grader, said “She’s a nice lady. I brought her a See’s Snowman and a candy cane pencil for Christmas.”

Anne Cronin, at Haight Elementary School, has been a crossing guard since 1998 when she began as a substitute. Anne likes that the job allows her time to continue her school studies as she is working on her MFA Thesis at the Academy of Art. She adds that the Alameda crossing guards are “a great crew to work with.”

The greatest challenge is speeding cars. Drivers are often multi-tasking and distracted and while the area is well marked with signs, “People see only what they want to see,” said Anne. The crossing guards become very familiar with the repeat bad drivers and try to anticipate their actions to avoid any accidents.

The Alameda Police Department routinely monitors the school zones as a reminder to drive slowly and carefully but our crossing guards need every Alamedan’s help to ensure safety. Next time you see the person in orange, slow down, stop, wave, and nod a thank you for a job well done.

Jeff Swatman is the Alameda Police Department Traffic Sergeant. If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle safety, please call him at 748-4508 extension 3342. John Knox White and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org) and BikeAlameda (www.bikealameda.org).

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