Crossing Guard Concerns? Share Them With Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ - The new school year brought with it a flurry of administrative, staffing and security changes to the Westfield School District, but it also brought with it a new management program for the crossing guards which has caused resident concern.

Posts on social media daily have lamented the changes, complained about congestion and decried how unsafe the streets have become under the new program. But according to Mayor Shelley Brindle, growing pains were to be expected.

"As we expected and communicated at the end of the summer, the initial transition period has indeed presented some challenges and necessary adjustments on all of our parts," Brindle said.

Brindle noted that the Westfield Police Department has been "working tirelessly" alongside All City Management Services (ACMS) to observe and address all concerns.

"Each day, we are seeing an incremental improvement as ACMS approaches full staffing levels for employees that have completed their extensive training," she said. "They are also completing their initial assessments to provide recommendations that can improve traffic conditions in the busiest areas near our schools."

Brindle said that what has been helpful to this transition process is residents making adjustments to their routines by carpooling more, leaving more travel time and considering alternate routes and drop-off points.

Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro conducts a daily assessment of the program by observing school drop-off locations at various points in town and on Wednesday Brindle said she will join him.

"Later that day, we will be meeting with the two newly-promoted supervisors in the program, as well as with members of ACMS’ senior management team, to hear their recommendations for both immediate and longer term steps we can take to optimize this program," she said, noting that following those discussions Battiloro will be providing a "robust update."

"We recognize that the adjustment to a program that does not allow for traffic direction is not an easy one, but it is also what the law dictates regarding crossing guards," Brindle said.

Those with concerns are being asked to continue to provide input to the local ACMS supervisors regarding crossing guard performance issues by calling 908-848-7664 or 908-848-7666 or by calling the Westfield Police Department at 908-789-4000.

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