Crossing guards toe the line

The Plains School Crossing guards are stepping up — literally — to ensure the safety of students getting to and from school.

Denise Montgomery, the administrator of the Plains’ crossing guard program, said that they are celebrating a decade of work serving the Plains' school kids.

“It's good to give back,” Montgomery said. “The reason why the program was started was because all of our little ones were crossing the main highway, and after you hear a couple of squealing tires you know there's a need for it.”

Montgomery said that last year the crossing guard program had 22 different volunteers who alternated each day. Like last year, the crossing guards will be working one-hour shifts, the morning shift starts at 7:15 a.m. and the afternoon shift begins at 2:45 p.m. She also remarked that they are constantly looking for new people to help.

“Were always looking for someone willing to help out and we provide instruction, whistles and a safety vest,” she said.

While she doesn't recall any serious series injuries or fatalities, Montgomery said that there has been one incident in the past where a motorist had hit a cyclist as they were crossing the street. As a teacher and parent she said that the program gives her a sense of confidence and assurance that children will be protected.

“It ensures that our kids are going to get home safe and since I'm a parent I can know that someone is watching out for them,” she said.

Lifting a pointing finger toward Highway 200 headed toward Thompson Falls, Ron Locksmith, a crossing-guard volunteer, said that there is a rise in the road just before entering the downtown area in Plains. He explained that both oncoming traffic are eclipsed to pedestrians and especially to small children.

“You'd be surprised at the number of vehicles that cross here,” Locksmith said.

He said that there have been times when he's had a few close calls. Last year Locksmith said that toward the end of school he had walked out in the road to escort children across the road when a car came within inches of hitting him.

“I've almost been hit a couple of times; I'm out here like this,” Locksmith said lifting up his bright yellow reflective vest, “And still I've almost been hit.”

Both Locksmith and Montgomery have been working in the program for the entire 10 years the program has been in existence and they say that a big accomplishment they’ve achieved is getting a flashing sign or light that will warn cars to slow down and the possibility of children being in the road.

Genieve Spencer, a new volunteer crossing guard was enthusiastic to help and contribute to the program. “We don't want the kids to get run over and its even really scary to cross the street for grown ups,” Spencer said and added that she hopes crossing guards presence will also remind motorists of the other crosswalk in Plains and good driving habits in general.

Like the many children who use the crosswalk Spencer was learning the basics about crossing a street safely. She was told to make sure that before children go out into the crosswalk she was to ensure that road was safe to cross. She also was told that all cyclists, if using the crosswalk to cross the street, had to be off of their bikes and walking across the roadway.

Montgomery said that she's more than willing to help new volunteers participate in the program and can be reached by calling Plains school at 826-3666.