Imperial Valley Press

CHICAGO IDLE USED TO FORM SAFETY CORPS

CHICAGO, Aug. 3. (U.P.)-Safety patrols, composed of 1,300 unemployed men from the rolls of the Illinois Emergency Relief commission will guard dangerous street intersections near beaches, parks and playgrounds this summer.

The crossing guard system that was started here in 1932, as a work project under the Emergency Relief Administration, has now grown to a permanent staff of 2,500, which during school months stands guard at hazardous crossings near schools.

Convinced of the value of the men's work, police and relief officials extended the work, and authorized the summer patrols.

The men are assigned to police districts and are under the jurisdiction of district traffic officers. They have no police powers other than that of supervising vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Despite this, the men have reported flagrant traffic violators, who endangered children's lives, and have obtained convictions in the municipal courts. One instance is reported in which a guard pursued and captured a bandit who had robbed a citizen.

In extending the service for the summer months, relief and police officials commended the heroism of more than 50 guards who had suffered traffic injuries in the line of their duty.