Ahead of the start of school on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, both the Maplewood and South Orange police departments are sharing crossing guard locations — and travel tips — to help local students get to school safely.
The two towns share one school district, with many South Orange residents attending school in Maplewood, and vice versa. Between the two towns, there are 56 crossing guard locations: 34 in Maplewood and 22 in South Orange. (See the locations listed below.)
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“The safety of our children, educators, and support staff remains the absolute highest priority of the Maplewood Police Department, and we encourage you to partner with us to ensure our students’ safety, wrote Maplewood Police Chief Niheema Malloy in message shared by the Township. “There will be an increased police presence around our school buildings during the opening weeks of this term. Our officers are there to welcome students back, manage traffic flow, and ensure safety regulations are being strictly followed.”
Malloy shared the location of the towns’ crossing guards as well as safety tips for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, via several graphic images:
South Orange information and a list of crossing guard locations to its website: https://www.southorange.org/231/Crossing-Guards
“The Township of South Orange employs twenty-six school crossing guards who are presently deployed at different intersections in town,” shared South Orange Village via southorange.org. “The guards are vital in ensuring that elementary and high school-age children are protected from the hazards of crossing our busy roadways in their daily travels to and from school. Collectively, this dedicated group of individuals goes above and beyond the call of duty—in all kinds of weather and faced with all types of drivers. They act as friend and educator, instilling principles of pedestrian and traffic safety as they shepherd the children safely on their way.”
South Orange reminded residents that the need for crossing guards is ongoing: “Being a school crossing guard is rewarding, part-time work that makes a positive contribution to the safety of our children. If you’d like more information or an employment opportunity, contact the Traffic Bureau at 973-763-3000, ext. 7839.”
“Twenty-two fixed posts are listed below. The township employs two extra, ‘floating,’ guards that are available on a daily basis to cover vacant posts or to provide extra assistance at key locations.”
The 22 South Orange Village crossing guard locations and coverage times are as follows:
