School crossing guards recognized for their hard work during "Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week"
MILWAUKEE (WITI) --Milwaukee is joining communities across Wisconsin in commemorating “Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week” -- January 12th-16th, 2015.
Milwaukee Alderman Terry Witkowski, chair of the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee, said the state Department of Public Instruction officially proclaimed Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week. He said the recognition is well-deserved for the men and women “who ensure the safe passage of our youngest, most vulnerable pedestrians, children walking between school and home.”
Luz Quinonez is a crossing guard at Allen-Field Elementary School. She doesn't mind the early hours or the winter weather. She says she loves the kids.
"They`re warm. They give you hugs. When you`re not here, they miss you," Quinonez said.
Thomas Koth, a crossing guard at Manitoba Elementary School feels the same way.
"You build a kind of rapport with them so that when you need to do something that is quite abrupt, they pay attention," Koth said.
“For more than six decades, adult school crossing guards have served in the city of Milwaukee and across Wisconsin, helping to drive down the rates of young pedestrian deaths and injuries, despite steady increases in traffic volume. What’s more, they too often must perform their duties during inclement and harsh winter weather and while dealing with impatient motorists," Alderman Witkowski said.
The busy streets can be dangerous for children. Koth and Quinonez say there have been close calls with drivers speeding, and they're always reminding them to take it slow.
For those that get impatient, Quinonez kills them with kindness.
"I just tell them to have a blessed day!" Quinonez said.
When it comes to Wisconsin's harsh winters, Quinonez is says she can handle them because she is always prepared.
"Layers and layers and layers and hot coffee," Quinonez said.
“Please take a moment this week and tell an adult school crossing guard how much you appreciate their service – even if it is just a friendly wave,” Alderman Witkowski said.
Milwaukee’s adult school crossing guards are trained and managed by the Milwaukee Police Department’s Safety Division.
"You learn how to cross at different intersections. Each one is different," Koth said.
Alderman Witkowski says adult crossing guards also teach and exemplify safe street crossing behaviors and reinforce the importance of traffic and pedestrian safety to youth.
Witkowski has co-sponsored a Common Council commendatory resolution sponsored by Council President Michael Murphy, recognizing Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week in the city of Milwaukee.
The commendatory resolution will be before the full Council on January 21st.