Streetwise: Mable Jenkins has kept kids safe for 3 decades

SETTING HAS CHANGED, BUT 80-YEAR-OLD CROSSING GUARD'S MISSION IS THE SAME

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer


HICKORY -- Things have changed quite a bit since 80-year-old Mabel Jenkins started working as a crossing guard at Oakwood Elementary School more than 25 years ago.

There wasn't a stoplight back then, which Jenkins said made the job a little more treacherous. The pay wasn't much, either, but Jenkins took the job to supplement her income from cleaning homes.


And there were uniforms. Pressed slacks, crisp shirts and a cap.
"They were just like police uniforms," she said. "Even the hats."

Now, her daily attire as a part-time crossing guard includes white gloves and a matching hat of her choosing, a neon orange and yellow jersey provided by the Hickory Police Department and a portable stop sign to halt traffic.

They didn't have crossing guards 70 years ago, when Jenkins attended Ridgeview Elementary, the school at that time for Hickory's African American students.

Still, Jenkins said she was ready to tackle the job when she signed on to help kids cross Hickory's busier streets about 30 years ago. She moved to Oakwood after about five years.

"I'm responsible for these kids," she said. "I'm here to see your child gets across the street."

Sgt. Bob Winters, who oversees the Hickory Police Department's community services program, said no one has done the job as long as Jenkins, who returned to the job after knee surgery forced her into taking a few months off in 2004.

"Rain or shine, you can count on Mabel Jenkins," he said. "She really, really loves the kids."

Every day, Jenkins arrives at the corner of Fourth Street N.W. and Fourth Avenue N.W., 15 minutes before her morning and afternoon shifts to survey the intersection and get ready for the flood of elementary students to rush out of the school.

When the final bell rings and the younger kids start pouring out of the building and shouting hellos at their crossing guard, Jenkins, who never had children or grandchildren, smiles. "Here come all my babies."


All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.