Police control of traffic around schools

(a) The chief of police shall have charge, direction, and control of all matters relating to preserving and protecting the public health, safety, and welfare on and about the streets surrounding any school. To perform this function, the chief of police shall appoint, train, and compensate traffic monitors to perform such duties as the chief directs. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to diminish the role now performed by the junior police officer program. (b) The traffic monitors of the respective counties shall be provided with suitable badges or insignia of office, and shall have the duty to assist police officers throughout the State in all matters relating to the enforcement of traffic regulations on and about the streets surrounding any public school premises. (c) The term "traffic monitor" means all persons over the age of eighteen who are appointed, trained, and compensated by the chief of police of each county to perform duties under this section whether called traffic monitors or by any other name or title.