They were picked as winners from 17 school safety patrols by Oakland police.

More than 500 students at the schools participate in the program, which is one of the oldest in the country. They work at posts at various intersections near their schools to make sure fellow students and others get across streets safely.

Besides the three school squads, Nary Sun, captain of the traffic squad at Prescott Elementary School where she is a fifth-grader, was honored for the best essay on the subject of "What Traffic Means To Me."

As part of the essay she wrote: "I like protecting the students, their parents and other pedestrians because it makes me feel like I am contributing, not only to my school, but also to my community.

"The streets would be unsafe for its students if schools did not have a traffic safety squad, especially for our younger students. Many of them have not been properly trained on crossing the street. We have the honor to serve as another pair of eyes for them," she wrote.

Each member of the winning squad receives a ticket to Great America courtesy of the Oakland Police Officers Association. The OPOA also donated a $100 U.S. Savings Bond for best essay.

The traffic program is co-sponsored by police and the California State Automobile Association. Police Traffic Officer Robert Sayaphupha is in charge of the program.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
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