Communities Create Safe Passages for Students

CPR:

Going home from school can sometimes be dangerous territory: fights, bullies, gangs and other predatory factors are a way of life in certain Chicago neighborhoods. That’s why some communities are providing safe passage to and from school. It’s not a new idea, but these days it is getting some more volunteers, at least in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood.

Big Tony and Big Lawrence – as they are known to students – are burly guys in lime-green vests. Look a little closely and you’ll see gray hair, too.

Nothing about the duo is inconspicuous.

Lawrence Burns was in the Marines and Tony Jones served in the Navy. Both live at a nearby veterans’ residence. But on this particular afternoon, they are stationed in front of Perspectives Charter School, a public high school. They keep an eye out as spirited students amble out of the building.

The veterans walk them to bus stops and are mindful of older gang members lingering on Racine Avenue. Big Tony is trying to keep the teens from loitering in front of school because too much hanging out can lead to trouble.
The students eventually disperse.

Amid dozens of Chicago Public Schools students getting killed by heinous street violence, safe passages are now sprouting up in several more communities. The Chicago Police Department helps run some. This particular safe passage with the veterans is part of a state department of human services program that started in March.

These veterans used to be homeless and now that they are stabilized, they want to be part of the community.

Finding ways to keep our children safe from these elements that will prey upon them.