'Operation Crosswalk' Keeps Bus Stop Robbers At Bay

INDIANAPOLIS -- "Operation Crosswalk" -- an initiative designed to end crime targeting children at bus stops on Indianapolis' east side -- began Monday morning.

Adults manned bus stops to keep children waiting to go to school safe from those who have been stealing their lunch money and electronics, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

Tamara Alstrom, a fifth-grader, said parents can make a big difference at bus stops along Arlington Avenue 38th and 46th streets, where more than a dozen recent armed robberies occurred.

"The kids on my bus stop, they feel safe because there are a lot of parents there to watch us," she said.

Ministers and volunteers met at Emmanuel Baptist Church to offer prayer, then go to bus stops in groups of two.

"(We aim) to make the kids feel safe and get the people in the community agitated to where they come out and join us so we have community people patrolling the bus stops in the morning," said Byron Alston, of Indianapolis' Ten Point Coalition.

Some parents took part after they were assigned bus stops to observe.

"I just want to help out, be a part of the solution," said Kenyatta Robinson. "I've been a part of the problem in the past, you know."

Students are hoping to deter robbers by leaving cell phones, mp3 players and money at home.

"If the criminals see the neighborhood is stepping forward … we're going to push that criminal somewhere else," said the Rev. Charles Ingram, of Emmanuel Baptist.

The Marion County Prosecutor's Office is helping sponsor Operation Crosswalk. Anyone who would like to participate can call them to volunteer.

"We're going to rotate the bus stops, and next week we're going to do some alternate days," said Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.