Crossing guards are scarce, forcing police to scramble
By: Hilary Parker
James Brown and Juanita Williams are of a rare breed.
They’re the kind of folks who day after day, year after year willingly step in front of oncoming traffic, bright orange raincoats at the ready in case of inclement weather.
They are crossing guards employed by the Princeton Borough Police Department and the Princeton Township Police Department.
Mr. Brown (look for him at Franklin Avenue and Witherspoon Street) and Ms. Williams (a fixture at the intersection of Valley Road and Walnut Lane), and all of their traffic-directing colleagues, are lauded by Princeton police for their commitment to their demanding task a commitment that many are unable to make.
"We’re in constant need; there’s always a lot of turnover," said borough police Sgt. Robert Currier, who has managed the borough crossing guards for the past three years.
The department is actively recruiting crossing guards to fill two positions that remain vacant, out of eight in total. Children and their parents aren’t left to cross those intersections at Harrison and Prospect streets and Harrison Street and Franklin Avenue on their own, though, as borough police officers will be assigned to the task until the slots are filled.
Township police are currently fully staffed for the 16 intersections where they employ crossing guards, but they said there is a constant need for more trained guards, given a low retention rate. As in the borough, township police officers are deployed to unmanned intersections whenever the need arises.
"The police officers had to cover over 500 school crossings last year," said township police Officer Geoff Maurer, the assistant traffic safety officer. "The retention is difficult from year to year.
Both Sgt. Currier and Officer Maurer are quick to admit that it takes a special person to become a crossing guard someone who has a flexible schedule and the inclination to venture out every morning and afternoon, rain or shine. Township crossing guards are paid $25 per day and must report to duty from 8 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:55 to 3:25 p.m. The hours for those employed by the borough are 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 to 3:30 p.m., with a pay rate of $30 per day.
An agreement with the Princeton Township Recreation Department helps the township police meet their needs, as five of the department’s employees work a flexible schedule to allow them to cover crossings every day.
The vast majority of the township’s crossing guards are not Princeton residents, according to Officer Maurer, but rather people who work in town or retired people able to accommodate the time demands of the job.
The situation is ideal, he said, when local residents apply for the position or others become regulars at a given intersection.
"We’ve had that luxury in a couple of different cases," he said. "It’s great because the people know the kids. If you’re from the community, it’s a friendly familiar face and from a parenting perspective, it makes them feel a lot better. There’s a level of comfort for the parents who let their kids walk to school."
Sgt. Currier agreed, referring to crossing guard Chris Boutote, who guards the intersection of Chestnut Street and Hamilton Avenue, as a prime example.
"He knows a lot of kids by name," he said, adding that Mr. Boutote has even been known to hand out a dog bone or two to passing pooches.
Whether in the borough or township, there is a required training program for those who would become crossing guards. Both police departments provide two hours of classroom training along with at least two weeks of on-the-job training supervised by a police officer.
And because the new guards will be interacting with children, the departments also run criminal background checks on all applicants.
The job isn’t without its perks, of course. The township gives all of its crossing guards an 18-inch handheld stop sign, a reflective vest, a raincoat, a baseball hat, a badge and high-visibility gloves. While the vest is the only item they are required to use on duty, the police said they recommend that guards use all the equipment, particularly the stop sign. Borough police similarly provide their guards with a vest, hand-held stop sign, raincoat and hat.
Both police departments continue to recruit individuals interested in serving as full-time or substitute crossing guards.
For more information about the borough positions, contact Sgt. Currier at (609) 924-4141. Applications for township crossing guard opportunities are available at the dispatch window of the police department.

