Today is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in Illinois
We see them doing the job of keeping kids safe every day. Why not take a minute today to say thank you?
Governor Bruce Rauner made the proclamation of May 7th, 2018 "Crossing Guard Appreciation Day" to recognize the role they play in keeping children safe as they walk and bike to and from school.
Crossing guards help teach children to look both ways before crossing streets and serve as an additional warning to motorists, reminding them to slow down in school zones.
About 250 pedestrians between the ages of 8 and 14 are hurt in vehicle-related incidents every year in Illinois.
Crossing guards are the "eyes on the street" for things like:
- Unsafe driver behaviors
- Unsafe pedestrian behaviors
- Unlawful parking
- Construction interfering with safe crossing
- Unsafe street conditions
- Damaged signs
- Poor visibility
- Suspicious activity
- Improper or lack of safety belt or bicycle helmet use
And, many become like family members to those they look out for: