A crossing guard shortage across Central Florida is raising safety concerns ahead of the new school year.For most districts, classes resume on August 10, and many sheriff’s offices and police departments are still looking to hire crossing guards.”This job is perfect for anybody that wants to make a difference in their community. But it is a couple of hours a day,” says Elaine Tirado, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Crossing Guard supervisor.The Orange County Sheriff’s office is one of the agencies facing a shortage.They are about 63 crossing guards short heading into the new school year.Joseph McCluan, was newly hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as a crossing guard after retiring from the fire service, and says this is a way for him to continue being involved in the community,”I know that Florida has a high rate of pedestrians being struck, so this gives me the opportunity to still be able to hopefully keep kids safe. Over years of being in the fire service, I’ve seen a lot of tragedies, so if I can get a chance to prevent that, that’s ultimately my goal,” McCluan told WESH 2.The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is also facing a crossing guard shortage.Heading into the new school year, they have 17 openings for school crossing guards.”I think the perfect candidate is a person that loves kids. You would think that school teacher might be the perfect one, but if you just love kids in general, you’re just what we’re looking for because it’s all about the kids,” says Larry Miller, who’s worked as a school crossing guard for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office for the last decade.Not only are local law enforcement agencies hiring crossing guards, but they also want to remind drivers about driving safely through school zones.”Be aware. When you’re coming into an intersection, especially if you see a crossing guard, slow down, stop, follow their commands and let’s keep the kids safe,” says McCluan.While it is only a few hours of work per day, the sheriff’s office says working as a crossing guard is a very important job and a vital role at schools.”Our crossing guards, they play a valuable role in helping protect our students. They are out there making sure as they walk to and from school that they do so safely,” says Tirado. Interested candidates should apply through their local sheriff’s office or police department.Substitute positions are also available.
A crossing guard shortage across Central Florida is raising safety concerns ahead of the new school year.
For most districts, classes resume on August 10, and many sheriff’s offices and police departments are still looking to hire crossing guards.
“This job is perfect for anybody that wants to make a difference in their community. But it is a couple of hours a day,” says Elaine Tirado, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Crossing Guard supervisor.
The Orange County Sheriff’s office is one of the agencies facing a shortage.
They are about 63 crossing guards short heading into the new school year.
Joseph McCluan, was newly hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as a crossing guard after retiring from the fire service, and says this is a way for him to continue being involved in the community,
“I know that Florida has a high rate of pedestrians being struck, so this gives me the opportunity to still be able to hopefully keep kids safe. Over years of being in the fire service, I’ve seen a lot of tragedies, so if I can get a chance to prevent that, that’s ultimately my goal,” McCluan told WESH 2.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is also facing a crossing guard shortage.
Heading into the new school year, they have 17 openings for school crossing guards.
“I think the perfect candidate is a person that loves kids. You would think that school teacher might be the perfect one, but if you just love kids in general, you’re just what we’re looking for because it’s all about the kids,” says Larry Miller, who’s worked as a school crossing guard for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office for the last decade.
Not only are local law enforcement agencies hiring crossing guards, but they also want to remind drivers about driving safely through school zones.
“Be aware. When you’re coming into an intersection, especially if you see a crossing guard, slow down, stop, follow their commands and let’s keep the kids safe,” says McCluan.
While it is only a few hours of work per day, the sheriff’s office says working as a crossing guard is a very important job and a vital role at schools.
“Our crossing guards, they play a valuable role in helping protect our students. They are out there making sure as they walk to and from school that they do so safely,” says Tirado.
Interested candidates should apply through their local sheriff’s office or police department.
Substitute positions are also available.
