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Annette Evans braves snow and ice, wind and rain and the heat of summer. She works a split shift for two hours every day, Monday through Friday. The pay isn’t great and she absolutely can't be late. For more than 20 years, Annette’s been helping young students make it safely to and from school. She’s one of a unique group of people who protect the lives of our children. Crossing guards are all ages, from all walks of life. Some are retirees, some are “stay-at-home moms,” some just want to earn a little spending money.
In Utah’s cities and towns, crossing guards at our local schools are usually hired by the police department and paid with city funds. It’s a valuable service that our municipalities provide.
Speaking of the work crossing guards do, Evans said, “People think anyone can be a crossing guard except when you don’t pay attention and someone gets killed and it becomes very serious.”
In Sandy and cities and towns throughout Utah, crossing guards must step out onto busy streets and stop traffic merely with a yellow vest and a red plastic sign. There is often a dose of bravery involved, as well. Evans explained that motorists often don’t treat the crossing guards as the stewards they are in protecting our kids. She said drivers are sometimes impatient and mean. “I wish that the drivers would appreciate the crossing guards… they are keeping children safe.” She said drivers frequently completely disregard the 20 mile an hour speed limits in our school zones. Evans would like to give this caution to everyone on the road: “Slow down. It only takes from one light to the end of the school zone.”
Crossing guards like Evans also observe the many distractions that keep drivers from focusing on the road. Evans explained, “People are not concentrating on their driving. They’re talking on their phone. They’re texting, they’re just not paying attention. “
Janice Parker, a crossing guard supervisor in Sandy, explained that parents also need to make sure their children know how to safely cross the streets by looking left, looking right, and looking left again. And when they’re going to and from school each weekday, always look to the crossing guard for assistance.