Mayor, Police Chief Recognize Retired Crossing Guard

Jean Kenney was speechless.

She didn't know how to respond to the attention she received at Monday night's Township Council meeting, during which she was recognized for her eight years of service as a crossing guard.

Gloucester Township Police Chief W. Harry Earle presented Kenney with the stop sign she used to halt traffic as Glendora kids crossed the street on her watch over eight school years. A plaque noting her years of service—September 2004 to September 2012—had been attached.

"It's almost like school bus drivers. There is a lot more than driving a bus, and there is a lot more than crossing the children," Earle said. "That exchange of that smile, of that reassurance as those young children are walking to school speaks volume about them."

Earle previously served as Kenney's supervisor, as the Police Department's Traffic Safety Bureau commander.

Like Earle, Mayor David Mayer praised the crossing guard for dedicating herself to an often thankless job.

"We entrusted you to take care of our children, and that is a big, big responsiblity," he said. "This is really a small token of our appreciation for what you have done in making our streets safe and our children even safer."

"Thank you very, very much. Oh, my gosh. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What else can I say?" Kenney said.

She did add: "The kids are great."