Public Employee Press

New law
Assault a Crossing Guard, go to jail

The new School Crossing Guard Safety Act provides important protection for about 2,000 Local 372 members. Enacted in August and effective Nov. 1, the law makes assault on a Crossing Guard a Class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

"This is a great victory for our members," said Local 372 President Shaun D. Francois I. "Our School Crossing Guards deserve to be respected and protected for the important job they do."

Although the Guards are responsible for getting thousands of children safely to school, their own safety is often threatened by irate motorists who have cursed and spit at them and even tried to run them down. The new law gives them protection similar to Police, Firefighters and Paramedics.

High priority

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. José Peralta and Assembly member Michael DenDekker, both representing Queens districts. It was passed by the Legislature in June and signed by the governor Aug. 4.

"Winning this legislation was a high priority on District Council 37's legislative agenda," said Political Action Director Wanda Williams.

Francois credited Local 372 activists and staff, especially the local's Political Director Lawrence Kenchen, for drafting the bill and helping to gather the necessary statewide support.

Passage of the new law is "great news," said retired Crossing Guard Sallie Robertson. "People in the neighborhood all knew me, so I had a lot of support if anything got out of hand, but with this new law anybody who attacks any one of us would be in serious trouble with the law."

Francois, elected in August, said the local will soon be holding labor-management meetings with the Police Dept. to address Crossing Guard issues, including working conditions, increased hours and uniform allowances.