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Show Guards keen children in line Mr Odle's pet peeve is people who speed through , the 20 , m p h. zone. "Most people respect the zone but there are always a few art-alecks. A traffic policeman, police-man, stationed nearby once counted (and ticketed) 14 cars in By JEAN JOHNSON Chronicle Staff Well-known to those who pass through their zones are those friendly men in black, guardians of the kiddies. Sometimes not so pleasantly known to those who are in a hurry, the crossing guards of the Salt Lake City Police Force are dedicated to making it safe for the elementary set to cross the street. C. Harry Odle is one such crossing guard1. Guiding children across Foothill Boulevard and 18th South is "an awfully important job and I have to watch the children closely," says Mr. Odle. sd ( III 1 4) I (;-" f ' ) -; two hours. Mr Odle worked in a service station in Winnemucca, Nev., for 11 years before becoming a schoolguard. He started out as a substitute and quickly became a regular. After a year at the job he . feels that "I just can't sit down and not do anything." Although Mr. Odle's home is five miles from his zone, he must drive back and forth three times a day. He is hired for the elementary school children, but arrives a half hour early so that he can keep an eye on the junior high kids also. Many parents have written letters praising Mr. Odle for his care of their children. Protecting children crossing Foothill Boulevard (or the Indy 500 as Mr. Odle calls it) is a vital service and he'll "Keep on going until I'm not able to." Henry Spilker, crossing guard at 4th South and 9th East, has been on the job for two years. Retired from church custodial work, Mr. Spilker took the job for financial reasons and because he likes kids. Junior crossing guards, selected from the school on the basis of good grades and desire for the job, help Mr. Spilker with his job. Carrying a red flag, the junior A dedicated crossing guard a busy intersection. guides elementary children across enjoy experiences with t-j Photo by Jenni'. guards take great pride in directing the younger kids across the street. Says Mr. Spilker concerning his helpers, "They are just gif They come even in bad to help me out." |