In her 15 years as a Newton parking control officer and school crossing guard, Becky Wonglan has faced impatient drivers during the morning rush.
“You need to pay attention,” she said on a recent weekday outside the West Newton Police Station.
Although there is a traffic light at her post near Angier Elementary School, which helps stop cars from speeding past vulnerable students, not every crosswalk is the same.
Wonglan and her colleagues are essential to ensuring Newton students’ safety – but, the City is facing a crossing guard shortage, and is increasing recruitment efforts.
“The last couple of school years we have been particularly low,” said Sgt. Michael Wade, second in command at the City’s Traffic Bureau.
When there are not enough crossing guards to cover all 48 locations that need them, there are two main options: Either police officers are assigned to the posts or, rarely, the crosswalks go uncovered.
“When you pull police officers [off their regular assignments to act as crossing guards], there are less people to respond to other emergencies that are occurring,” said Wade.
Although the department is allowed to hire 60 crossing guards, as of August, there were only 49 on staff. Ten of those 49 are civilian parking control officers like Wonglan, who said she loves kids.
“We do need more … so that we have coverage,” in case people go on vacation or get sick, Wade said.
Over the last few academic years, the sergeant said there were a few times when the City was short-staffed and did not have enough police officers to step in. On those rare occasions, police notify the schools as early as possible.
Although the morning and afternoon shifts are not long, “you never know what’s going to happen in those 45 minutes,” he said. “It is a high priority that we fill them [the openings].”
Due to the job’s hours, retirees often apply. The police have been trying to recruit by reaching out to the Senior Center, online, in City buildings, by word of mouth, through parent organizations, and on electronic traffic signs.
Once applicants are hired, they meet with Officer Jason Schlegel, who heads the program, and go through training. They then receive equipment (vest, winter jacket and hat, gloves, and a red stop sign) and spend two weeks training in the field with a fellow crossing guard.
Safeguarding children is their top priority, but guards also must watch out for themselves. Luckily, nobody was injured last year, but two years ago a crossing guard was hit by a car.
“There’s always a concern when you’re dealing with traffic,” said Wade.
As the start of the 2023-2024 school year approaches, the sergeant is hopeful that more applicants will come forward.
“We’re hiring crossing guards year-round … we’re always hiring,” he said.
Those interested in applying may view the City’s job posting for crossing guards and apply online at that site or pick up and submit a paper application at Newton Police Headquarters (1321 Washington Street, West Newton).
