We see them weekday mornings and afternoons, and they have one of the most important jobs in public service. School crossing guards are responsible for ensuring the safety of students as they enter and leave school each day.
Crossing guards are important to the safety of children who walk and ride bicycles to school. They make sure children can safely cross the street when and where they need to, and they remind drivers of the children's presence.
They provide parents and caregivers with a peace of mind about their children walking or bicycling to school. While their main duty is to make sure kids safely cross the street, they also educate these kids on how and where to safely cross the street and to not to cross in unsafe places, like in the middle of the block.
Their job is dangerous. According to data cited by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ( http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2011-193/ ), 120 crossing guards died on the job nationwide between 1993 and 2008, and 1,230 were injured on the job between 2003 and 2010, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their number one cause of injury is drivers who are in a hurry to reach their destination as quickly as possible.
Although we cannot completely eliminate the risk of on-the-job injuries for people with this job, many efforts and precautions are being taken avoid these injuries. These efforts include working with local law enforcement to provide proper training, work practices, and protective equipment. They have shown great promise in reducing fatal and nonfatal injuries of crossing guards.
Across the United States, the duty of crossing guard program management varies among state and local government agencies. Duval County's Program is managed by the Safety Education Unit of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. In 2010, the Florida Department of Transportation named the program at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office the best in the state.
Being a crossing guard is a position that is filled with pride and respect as crossing guards keep children safe. They are our children's advocate from the time they leave their homes until they reach their schools.
The next time you see a crossing guard, consider all of the things they do for the children they protect. They put their lives at risk on a daily basis. Be sure to thank them, because it takes a special person to do their job.
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