A Program to Protect Children and School Crossing Guards

The position of School Crossing Guard has become one of the most dangerous occupations in local government. Numerous crossing guards are seriously injured or killed at their posts each year while protecting our children. Over the last decade, the accident rate for crossing guards has increased by 65%.

Thirty years ago, half of our children walked to school. Today, only 15% walk. As a result, our school zones are clogged with more traffic than they were designed to handle, which is alarming considering that pedestrian deaths increased by 12% from 2020 to 2021 and 17% of all traffic fatalities in the United States involved pedestrians.

To address these issues, the MEL and the NJ Association of Chiefs of Police along with Rutgers University, developed a comprehensive plan to protect children and school crossing guards. Also assisting in this effort was J.A. Montgomery Risk Control.