Little School House
gets its crossing guard

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

At her post since March 12, crossing guard Nancy DiEnno is a welcome sight for many at Lott and Hoff streets.
"She’s the best," said one grateful mom walking to DiEnno’s posted corner.
Anne Frank school parents demanded a guard there after a Jan. 8 accident, where a student was struck and injured by a car.
According to Capt. Joseph Zaffino, commander of the 7th Police District, there have been three accidents on Lott Street in recent years.
"It is a heavily, heavily traveled road — a link between Bustleton Avenue and the Boulevard," he said.
Zaffino requested a crossing guard for Lott and Hoff on the same day as the Jan. 8 accident.
Even though crossing guards fall under the jurisdiction of police, not the School District of Philadelphia, it’s not that easy for police to station a crossing guard at a corner that is not designated for one.
Zaffino was pleased, however, with how quickly the position was filled.
"There are a lot of very happy people," Zaffino said.
Debbie Shaw, who has a son in kindergarten at the school, is one of those joyous parents. She had called politicians and city officials in an effort to get help for the dangerous corner.
"It’s better. I was on a mission," she said.
Many motorists ran the lights before the guard arrived, according to another mom.
"I love her being there," she said.
In a city with 900 crossing guards and hundreds of corners on a wish list, a request for a crossing guard is usually followed by a survey and plenty of time waiting for funding to fill the request.
Sgt. Tara Holmes, supervisor of Philadelphia school crossing guards, said her office had been unaware of the addition of the Little School House building to the school property about 10 years ago.
"I went up there and checked it out for myself. On the perimeter, you should have a guard," Holmes said.
Holmes’ office also filled another Northeast corner in need of a guard — at Belgreen and Dunks Ferry roads in Parkwood, in the 8th Police District.
While DiEnno’s presence is helping to alleviate a lot of chaos and danger at Lott and Hoff, some issues persist.
According to Zaffino, some parents continue to park in areas designated as crosswalks and parents continue to jaywalk with their children, instead of crossing at the corner.
"Now that she’s there, they should use her," Zaffino said. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com