This patrol boy organization originated
in Newark circa 1930's and spread throughout the country. The patrol
boys were just boys ( no girls ) from the 7th and 8th grades. They
were given a metal badge which they wore on their left arm. They
attached it to their arm with a leather strap. In class they would
place it in the back pocket of their pants with the leather strap
hanging out. This was a badge of honor and power that they all enjoyed.
The Patrol Boy crossed the students at assigned streets and had
the authority to "Report Them " if they did something
wrong. For example running, jay walking, throwing snowballs and
not behaving.
Once a week in the auditorium at Lincoln Grammar School they would
have a trial. The chief of the patrol boys would sit on the stage
and act as a judge. A couple of students would also sit on the stage
and act as the jury. The student that was reported was brought up
on the stage by his accuser. His case was pled before the jury.
If the person was found guilty he was given detention.
Some patrol boys had posts as far away as 18th Avenue and Sandford
Avenue. None of the boys had watches. Everyone new how soon they
had to be in school by the number of bells rung. There were three
bells that automatically rang. The first bell indicated that everyone
should get ready to enter the building. The second bell indicated
that everyone should start entering the building. By the third bell
everyone had to be in their classroom. The patrol boys were told
which bell rang by a relay method. The ones who had post next to
the school would yell and wave to another and indicate what bell
rang. This audible and visual communication was passed down the
line until the most distant post was updated. The ranks were the
following patrol boy, captain and chief. The captain was in charge
of several posts and would march his patrol boys to and from their
posts. I made the rank of captain in eighth grade. The chief was
in charge of everyone. I don't know when this system was replaced
by paid crossing guards but I think it was in the 1970's.
Does anyone remember?
Response from Bruce Schryver:
I remember those days well. I too was a patrol boy
at Sacred Heart and had three posts over the two years, one on Fortuna
Street, one on Sanford Avenue, and one on the corner of South Orange
Avenue and Halstead Street. At Fortuna and the street that ran between
Richelieu Terrace and Sanford Avenue, we had a metal sign on a heavy
cast iron base that we rolled to the middle of the street at each
shift to close the street except to local traffic. Those were really
great days. Little did we know how fondly we would look back on
those memories.
Response from Pamala Plastock:
I was a Patrol Girl while attending the Mt. Vernon
Grammar School. I remember my swearing in ceremony. We were all
brought up onto the stage in the auditorium and we had to raise
our right hands and repeat an oath regarding our duties and responsibilities
as a Safety Patrol. I still have my Sate Patrol certificate framed
on my wall. The certificate is from 1969. It is green and white
and was awarded by the City of Newark, Police Department, Dominick
A. Spina, Director. It is signed by Franklyn Titus Superintendent
of Schools, Anthony Sloppola, Director of Attendance and Mayor Adonnizio.
As a Patrol Girl I was given a while "safety belt" which
hooked at the waist and went across my body from right shoulder
to left hip. I do remember the Tarzan Yell that let all the patrols
know when it was time to leave their posts and go to school and
I too remember being allowed to leave school a few minutes early
to get to my post. I also think the era of the Safety Patrol ended
in the very early 1970's but, I will never forget being a Safety
Patrol and the Pride I felt every day when I put on my Safety Patrol
Belt.
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