Local cross guard and legend, Doris, told she couldn't do her job anymore

Doris has stopped traffic on State Road 3 to help our children and buses cross safely for years. She was told this week she can't anymore. If you drive through Hartford City on a school morning, you've seen her.

Doris steps off the curb at West McDonald and North Walnut, holds up her sign, and stops traffic on State Road 3. The buses turn. The kids cross. Then she waves at everyone who goes by. Rain, snow, cold that keeps the rest of us in the car. She's out there, and she's smiling.

She's done it for years. She's the only person in town who does.

This week, a source told the Ledger that an Indiana State Police informed Doris of a complaint they received regarding her stopping traffic and stated she can't keep doing it. What it means for her job isn't clear yet, but we've been told she has resorted to being a bus driver's aid for now.

What the law says

There are two problems, as we see it, with where her job currently stands.

First, state law says a school crossing guard has to be appointed by a city or county board, or by the sheriff. A school district isn't on that list. The Ledger has been told Doris works for the school. (IC 9-13-2-161.3)

Second, the law that tells drivers to stop for a crossing guard only applies in a marked school crossing zone. For a spot to count, it needs painted lines or signs. Walnut and McDonald has neither. (IC 9-21-8-41.5, IC 9-13-2-161.5)

Put together, drivers were never legally required to stop for her. Thankfully, they stopped anyway, and, for years, that was enough.

Why an ordinance may not fix it

The city can set traffic rules on city streets. Walnut isn't technically a city street. It's a state regulated highway.

On a state highway, the city's power is limited to enforcing state rules. (IC 9-21-1-5) The city also can't paint a crosswalk or put up a sign there without written permission from INDOT. (IC 9-21-4-2)

What could work

Three things, at three levels of government.

The Hartford City Board of Public Works and Safety can appoint a school crossing guard. That solves the first problem.

INDOT would have to approve crosswalk lines or a school crossing sign. That solves the second.

Or an officer could work the corner. Drivers already have to obey a police officer directing traffic, with no ordinance, no permit, and no appointment needed. (IC 9-21-8-1) This option, though, unless the HCPD hires Doris, would likely put Doris out of a job.

Which of these the city can actually do is a question for the Mayor, city attorney and the Board of Works and Safety.

What we're monitoring

The Ledger is reaching out to the school, the district, Hartford City, and INDOT. We'll keep following this and post updates as we get them.