Alderman Andre Vasquez of Chicago began directing traffic himself on Western Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, wearing a yellow safety vest and holding a stop sign for roughly an hour each morning. He started the effort after a recent automobile crash that was linked to nearby water‑maintenance work, and after the city failed to assign a crossing guard to the location.
The crash occurred in the vicinity of ongoing water‑maintenance activities, prompting local residents and commuters to voice growing concerns about safety on that stretch of Western Avenue. The incident highlighted the need for additional traffic control measures, especially during the period when maintenance crews were present on the roadway.
City officials did not deploy a crossing guard to the area following the accident, leaving a gap in the usual traffic‑management response. The absence of an official guard left the intersection without dedicated personnel to manage vehicle flow and protect pedestrians during the maintenance work.
In response, Alderman Vasquez took personal initiative. Each morning, he positioned himself at the site, wearing a high‑visibility yellow vest and using a stop sign to regulate vehicles. His presence lasted about an hour, during which he manually directed traffic to ensure smoother movement and to reduce the risk of further incidents.
Vasquez continues to perform the traffic‑directing duties each day, maintaining the practice as long as the water‑maintenance work remains in effect and until the city provides a permanent crossing guard solution. The alderman's hands‑on approach reflects his direct involvement in addressing immediate safety concerns for the community on Western Avenue.