HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-13; School Crossing Guard Program for Local Schools (Districts - All); Williams, MickeyTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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July 13, 2023
Council Memorandum
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Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2023069
To: Honorable Mayor Blackb n embers of the City Council
From: Mickey Williams, Chief of Po __-_,,---
Via: Scott Chadwick, City Man ger
Re: School Crossing Guard PrffiN_..,,ij~for Local Schools (Districts -All)
This memorandum provides City Council with a brief history of the Carlsbad Police
Department's efforts related to the School Crossing Guard Program.
Background
The Carlsbad Police Department has provided crossing guard services within the community for
more than 25 years. Initially, crossing guard duties were tasked to members of the Police
Department to perform during their normal assigned workday. In approximately 2005, the
Police Department hired private individuals to conduct these tasks and managed them as
part-time employees.
For the past 11 years, the Police Department has contracted with Patrol Masters Security
Services Inc., to provide crossing guard services for the Carlsbad community.
Discussion
The city's Traffic Engineering Division of Public Works evaluates school locations based on
criteria contained in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Within
Section 7D.02-Adult Crossing Guards, the California MUTCD states that "Adult Crossing Guards
may be assigned at designated school crossings to assist school pedestrians at specified hours
when going to or from school."
Over the years, due to city growth and new schools being built, crossing guard locations have
been added and times of coverage have been extended. Patrol Masters has also increased the
pay for their employees to be competitive in the market. Both circumstances have led to
increases in the cost of the School Crossing Guard Program.
Currently, Patrol Masters provides the city with 36 crossing guards at 17 locations, twice a day,
once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
Fiscal Impact
Historically, the Police Department has managed the crossing guard contract and it is paid for
out of the Police Department budget. The fiscal impact for the School Crossing Guard Program
in the 2023-2024 school year is $472,942.
Police Department
2560 Orion Way I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 442-339-2100 t
Council Memo -Crossing Guards for Local Schools (Dist ricts -All)
July 13, 2023
Page 2
Surrounding Jurisdictions
The Police Department inquired with other local jurisdictions to find out how they implement·
their crossing guard programs. Below is a summary:
• City of Encinitas: Shares the cost of the crossing guard program with the school district.
Due to a shortage of personnel willing to do this job, they are using an outside vendor to
provide this service. The City of Encinitas reimburses the school district up to $75,000
each year. Any excess costs for the crossing guard program are absorbed by the school
district.
• City of Oceanside: The school district hires and pays for crossing guards to provide this
service, however, the City of Oceanside reimburses the school district.
• City of San Marcos: The school district pays for the crossing guard program from their
general funds. School district employees are used to handle the services.
• City of Vista: The school district pays for the services that are handled by school district
employees and the City of Vista reimburses the school district.
Next Steps
The Police Department will continue to collaborate with the city's Transportation Department,
Patrol Masters, school districts, and stakeholders within the community to enhance the safety
for children coming to and from school.
cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Tom Frank, Transportation Director