Port St. Lucie Police struggle to attract crossing guards; different story elsewhere
School crossing guard staffing levels at the Port St. Lucie Police Department are at the agency’s “worst” — there’s a deficit of 29 — but a spokesperson said that doesn’t translate to safety hazards for students.
Port St. Lucie police are among a number of Treasure Coast law enforcement agencies with school crossing guard vacancies. The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and Sebastian Police report being staffed fully.
Sgt. John Dellacroce, Port St. Lucie police spokesperson, said crossing guards are tasked with safely moving children across roadways, which includes stopping traffic. They also look for hazards, such as down signs, traffic lights not working, speeding motorists and suspicious people.
“We value our school crossing guards very much,” Dellacroce said. “They play a crucial part in protecting our children as they come to and from school.”
That means working a 45-minute shift in the morning, and another in the afternoon, though Dellacroce said currently 28 guards work two schools and one works three.
“There is no concern or public safety hazard to our students. It's just more of a staffing shortage occurring,” Dellacroce said. “The children are not at risk, because we are able to cover multiple posts due to the staggered school times.”
Sana Foster, 65, of Port St. Lucie, was one of a number of school crossing guards working at Oak Hammock K-8 School in Port St. Lucie one recent afternoon.
“I love it. I love the kids,” said Foster, a crossing guard for 10 years. “I love helping the kids, to see a smile on their face, tell me good morning, have a good day.”
While the agency has 41 crossing guards, they lack 29. Port St. Lucie police staff 19 schools with crossing guards, each of whom receives eight hours of certification training and annual recertification training.
Were the agency’s crossing guard roster full, each guard would work a single school.
In Martin County, sheriff’s Chief Deputy John Budensiek said his agency has 35 crossing guard positions, but are down nine. Last year, the agency started with 27.
“Those positions need to be filled, they have to be filled,” he said. “We're handling it on several different levels.”
A school crossing guard supervisor has filled at least one position daily, and some of the agency’s traffic unit and community service aides also have been enlisted.
Budensiek said over the past several years, the agency struggled with crossing guard staffing.
“We think this is an easy, happy job, interacting with our children coming and going from school, and a lot of that is true, but they have a tough job,” he said.
Budensiek said they drive their own car to their assigned location, and only are there for a couple of hours in the morning and afternoon with a gap in between.
“That's rain or shine, and in Florida it's rain, shine, bugs, traffic,” he said. “It's not always the most pleasant job and it's not always the best paying job.”
Parents and other motorists can be trying, he said.
“They catch it from all ends sometimes,” Budensiek said. “The person that doesn't want to be stuck in traffic to the parent that thinks that their child was moved across the road in an unsafe fashion — sometimes they can't win.”
Budensiek said crossing guards typically are retirees. The pay is $18.18 an hour.
Sheriff’s officials have taken a number of recruitment steps, including Facebook campaigns and approached the school board to see whether teachers before and after school wanted to participate for additional money.
“It’s not from lack of effort trying to get people in the door,” Budensiek said.
Dellacroce said Port St. Lucie police increased the pay from $14.50 to $16.50 hourly to be more competitive, and also to “reward our current school crossing guards, they do a great job out there.”
“We want you, come apply now to be a school crossing guard with the Port St. Lucie Police Department,” Dellacroce said.
Another crossing guard at Oak Hammock was 63-year-old Carlos Rodriguez, who said he started in 2014.
Rodriguez enjoys the position for several reasons, including because it helps the community and it’s a bit of extra money.
“I’m doing my physical fitness for that day because I'm walking constantly back and forth instead of sitting at home after retirement,” Rodriguez said.
Fort Pierce Police have seven crossing guards, and one opening, said Larry Croom, police spokesperson.
Stuart police have no crossing guards, Lt. David Duran stated via email, while Vero Beach Police did not respond to inquiries.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office has 11 of 12 crossing guard positions filled, according to a statement from Sheriff Ken Mascara.
“At any given time, there are typically two to four crossing guards stationed at each of the four schools we cover,” he stated.
The pay is $16 an hour with two 45-minute shifts daily.
“The unconventional hours may contribute to staffing issues as these types of positions typically attract retirees who are able to work at their leisure,” Mascara stated.
In Indian River County, sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Jaworski said seven locations require school crossing guard coverage. Each location typically is covered for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. Most of the agency’s eight crossing guards cover two schools. Starting pay is $15 an hour.
Jaworski said most crossing guards are in their 40s to 60s, but there is a younger crossing guard.
Sebastian Police Capt. Tim Wood said his agency’s 12 crossing guard positions are staffed fully. Further, there are alternates available and some volunteers with the proper training, as well.
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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Port St. Lucie police lack 29 crossing guards; at 'worst' level
