City considers in-house crossing guard program

Wauwatosa's Traffic and Safety Committee is continuing to examine the possibility of operating the city's crossing guard program in-house.

Anthony Brown, assistant to the city administrator, on March 25 provided an update to the committee about what the Ad Hoc Crossing Guard Committee has done so far to research the option, specifically related to what type of insurance would be required and how the city would determine crossing guard locations.

Brown reminded the committee that the city has estimated it could save about $25,000 running the program internally, although it would need to ensure that a certain amount of risk exposure is addressed through insurance.

As far as determining where crossing guards would be located, Brown explained, a request form would need to be submitted for consideration by the committee. The city would consider several pieces of information, including identification of a safe route to school for the area in question, as well as existing road conditions, sight distance, traffic-calming devices — such as signals, signs or pavement markings — posted speed limits, volume of traffic and pedestrians, and the crash and accident history at the intersection.

District 6 Alderman Jeff Roznowski pointed out that before jumping to place a crossing guard at a particular location, officials should be looking first at how safety concerns might be addressed through a Safe Routes to School program for the area.

Traffic and Safety Committee members voiced support for the initiative overall. No action was taken.