Five days a week, Frank Williams lays down the law for two and a half hours on Concordia Avenue.

Williams’ law is gently enforced each day in front of Vidalia Upper Elementary school. He is a crossing guard.

The retired carpenter has been working as a crossing guard since 1994.

William’s grandson, Terrance Williams, who was working for the Vidalia Police Department at the time got the elder Williams interested in the job.

&uot;My grandson asked if I would be interested in being a crossing guard,&uot; Williams said. &uot;Then, Chief Mike McDonald asked me to work as a crossing guard. I’ve been doing it ever since.&uot;

Dealing with such a young audience can be taxing, but the 72-year-old thinks the children are well behaved and follow his instructions.

He is at the school in the morning and afternoon working from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:15 to 3:30 p.m.

&uot;I have to be here to get the buses on their routes and to make sure the children cross the street with no problems,&uot; he said.

The main problem for Williams is traffic. Concordia Avenue becomes a one-way street in the morning and afternoon.

&uot;Many times people will try to come down the wrong way,&uot; he said. &uot;I have to turn them around.&uot;

Occasional speeders catch Williams’ eye too.

&uot;I can turn their license number to the police department,&uot; he said. &uot;They will come to the person’s house and serve the ticket.&uot;

Day in and day out, Williams knows the children are his top priority.

&uot;A child can break across the street before anyone knows it,&uot; Williams said. &uot;It is my responsibility to see they get across the street safely.&uot;