Councilmember David Greenfield Pushes For Hundreds More Crossing Guards As A Part Of Vision Zero

At this past Monday’s hearing on Vision Zero, NYPD Transportation Bureau Chief Thomas Chan acknowledged roughly 200 positions for crossing guards across the city that haven’t yet been filled. District 44 Councilmember David Greenfield is now hoping to expedite the hiring process, putting more crossing guards where Brooklyn needs them most.

“One of the most important things we can do to immediately improve pedestrian safety in New York City is to make sure that every child is as safe as possible while walking to school,” the Councilmember says in a release from his office. “As a parent, it is frightening and disturbing to hear that so many schools in our city, both public and private, are currently not provided this basic and critical safety measure.

“The mayor’s Vision Zero plan contains many great and ambitious ideas, many of which will take time to implement. Hiring more crossing guards is a great first step that we can immediately take to help end senseless and preventable deaths on our streets.”

Hiring crossing guards may prove challenging because of the pay (normally $9-12/hour) and schedule (five hours with a break between shifts), postulates Greenfield’s camp–but the Councilmember is pushing to secure funding for advertisements and maximum wages so as to make as many immediate hires as possible.

“I will continue working with all of my colleagues in government until the streets near every school are staffed by a crossing guard,” Greenfield says.

We know we’d love to see a more regular presence of a guard by PS 139. Where do you think would be the most useful spots to station guards who’d look out for our kids on the way to and from school?

Photo by pallih