School crossing guards would be eliminated with proposed 2009 budget

SOUTH BEND — Parents near school crossings are concerned about their children. The police department announced a series of reductions to save money. Thirty-seven crossing guards were on the list. South Bend Police say eliminating the 37 crossing guard positions would save the department nearly $500,000, but parents around South Bend are upset. They believe you can't put a price on safety. Thousands of children across South Bend will head back to school, sharing the road with cars. Crossing guards help students like Mitchell Mace's children to cross one end of a busy intersection to another, but in 2009, that could all change. "I've got four kids, two daughters and two sons," said Mace. "I don't want to see anything happen to them." Common council members detailed cuts to save $21 million. Cutting the guards saves $477,000.... [read full story]