"You're going to have some people that are going to speed through your crosswalk, you're going to have some people that are going to be mad because you stopped them so that you could cross those children. But you need to have patience and understanding and you need to have the will to let the children know, the main thing is that they make it across that street safe,"
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Over the next month, students will trickle back into school, and the City of Austin hopes to fill open positions for school crossing guards.
KXAN Traffic Anchor met up with one of the crossing guard supervisors to learn more about this special role that helps kids stay safe on their way to and from school.
"You can imagine how chaotic it can get when we have motorists that do not pay attention to my guard, or even pay attention to the school zone flashers and signs that we have posted," says Beatrice Bailey. She helps little legs walking, biking and scooting to and from school every morning and every afternoon.
"When you're a guard, you're here to make sure that each and every day, they have someone that's there to make sure that they get across safe, they make it home safe," says Bailey.
As a crossing guard, Bailey protects kids from drivers who, despite the flashing lights, school zone warnings, and handheld stop signs, still speed by.
"Unfortunately that is one of our biggest problems along with cell phone use. We understand that there are some people that don't have children. So their mind might not be on I'm crossing a school," says Bailey.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2022 there were 746 traffic crashes in school zones in Texas, resulting in 23 serious injuries. TxDOT says the most common cause is drivers not paying attention, speeding or not yielding the right of way.
The role of a crossing guard is typically part-time, and just a few hours a day. The City of Austin pays $20.80 an hour for the position.
In addition to a criminal background check, Bailey says crossing guards need a lot of patience.
"Because guess what, you're going to have some people that are going to speed through your crosswalk, you're going to have some people that are going to be mad because you stopped them so that you could cross those children. But you need to have patience and understanding and you need to have the will to let the children know, the main thing is that they make it across that street safe," says Bailey.
Bailey says it's an important job she takes pride in, "Sometimes they have a bad day at school, and they want somebody to vent to and you get to say, " You know what, it'll be better. Try it again tomorrow, and they'll be excited to hear you say that."
There are currently 30 open crossing guard positions the City of Austin is hoping to fill. At full staff, there are 200 total crossing guards.
