Police Will Fill School Crossing Guard Vacancies Per County Emergency Plan

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A shortage of school crossing guards in Prince George's County has prompted the county executive to authorize the use of police officers and the county's police executive command stand to step in as crossing guards.

They will staff uncovered locations until dedicated crossing guards are hired.

The police department's school crossing guard unit also has launched a recruitment campaign in various channels to try and reach more candidates.

“Ensuring the safety of our children on their way to and from school is non-negotiable,” said Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “Every child deserves a safe journey, free from unnecessary risks. The emergency crossing guard plan is a critical step towards this commitment. It reflects our dedication to providing the necessary resources to protect our children and highlights the collaborative efforts within our community to keep our youngest residents safe on the roads.”

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s School Crossing Guard unit oversees 302 crossing guard assignments daily at 151 distinct intersections near 102 schools across the county. The staffing decline since 2016, primarily due to retirements and exacerbated by the pandemic in 2019, has led to challenges in maintaining an adequate number of crossing guards within the school district.

“The emergency school crossing guard plan underscores our proactive approach to addressing the critical shortage,” said Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz. “We recognize the importance of a swift response and the dedication of our officers, who will temporarily fill vital roles until a more permanent solution is in place. This plan is a testament to our adaptability and prioritization of the well-being of the students we serve.”

Prince George’s County Schools’ Superintendent Millard House said he appreciated the police department's assistance with the situation.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Prince George’s County Police Department for their swift and effective response to the critical shortage of school crossing guards,” House said. “The safety of our children is paramount and the emergency plan devised by the police department is a testament to their dedication and collaboration. We appreciate the ongoing commitment to finding solutions that prioritize the well-being of our children as they travel to and from school.”

Key highlights of the emergency staffing plan:

1. As new guards are recruited; they will replace police officers at the covered locations.

2. To attract more candidates, the starting pay for school crossing guards has been increased from $12.77 to more than $17 per hour. Additionally, efforts to streamline the hiring process include tripling interview times and considering a reduction in the age requirement from 21 to 18.

3. The department has been distributing bilingual hiring flyers, utilizing social media, engaging the faith-based community, collaborating with County Council members, partnering with PGCPS and promoting the job posting through Employ Prince George’s.

Learn more about applying to become a school crossing guard here.