Published on March 17 | Updated on March 20
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Darby Borough police in Delaware County are looking for the person who assaulted a school crossing guard.
The guard, who is in her early 30s, was attacked around 3:50 p.m. Monday at Sixth and Walnut streets, near Walnut Street Elementary School. According to Darby Borough Police Chief Joe Gabe, it happened while the guard was helping children get off a school bus.
"At the time, she had the intersection temporarily shut down," Gabe said, adding that a man driving an older model gold Nissan Altima was not happy about that closure.
"[He] proceeds through the intersection and is yelling obscenities at the security guard."
According to Gabe, the driver parked his car and got out to confront the guard, who ran. "He chases after her, grabs her from behind and strikes her with a closed fist in the right side of her face," he said.
The guard fell to the ground during the scuffle, lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital. She has since been released.
"Myself and the officers in this department, along with the mayor and council, are very concerned of this violence that happened here," said Gabe.
The crossing guard resigned from the job on Thursday.
State Sen. Anthony Williams, who represents parts of Delaware County and Philadelphia, condemned the assault and offered a reward for information leading to an arrest. He said in a statement:
Williams is working on legislation that would give crossing guards similar protections to first responders.
"Police officers, firemen — if you touch or assault them, there's a higher grade of penalty," he said.
Jonathan King, founder and CEO of nonprofit Safe Corridors, said they are increasing protections for crossing guards by having people check in on sites and providing them with walkie-talkies.
Police also said they are "very troubled by this heinous act," and they are exhausting all resources to identify the person responsible.
Anyone who witnessed the assault is asked to contact police at kcollins@darbypd.org.
MORE: Council meeting on school crossing guard assault derailed by bickering between elected officials
