Adult Crossing Guards

Adult crossing guards have become an important part of school crossing protection programs throughout the country. The adult crossing guard program was organized more than fifty years ago to help protect children on their way to and from school.

The Fremont adult crossing guard program is organized and administered by the Fremont Police Department Traffic Unit. The Fremont Police Department currently employs 29 full time crossing guards throughout the city. We also have six alternate crossing guards who fill in when one of our full time guards is away or ill.

Determining Crossing Guard Locations

As is true for all school crossing protection measures, certain warrants or criteria are used to determine at which locations adult guards are to be employed. On July 8, 2014, the Fremont City Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-31 relating to the establishment of minimum warrants for establishing and maintaining adult crossing guard locations:

The minimum warrants, referenced from criteria listed in the California Manual Uniform of Traffic Control Devices 2012, for use in establishing and maintaining adult crossing guards only at school crossing locations used primarily by elementary school shall be as follows:

• When special situations make it necessary to assist elementary school pedestrians in crossing the street.
• At uncontrolled crossings where there is no alternate controlled crossing within 600 feet; and
• In urban areas where the vehicular traffic volume exceeds 350 during each of any two hours (not necessarily consecutive) in which 40 or more school pedestrians cross daily while going to or from school; or
• In rural areas where the vehicular traffic volume exceeds 300 during each of any two hours (not necessarily consecutive) in which 30 or more school pedestrians cross daily while going to or from school.

Whenever the critical (85th percentile) approach speed exceeds 40 mph, the guidelines for rural areas should be applied.

At stop sign-controlled crossing:

• Where the vehicular traffic volumes on undivided highways of four or more lanes exceeds 500 per hour during any period when the school pedestrians are going to or from school.

At traffic signal-controlled crossings:

• Where the number of vehicular turning movements through the school crosswalk exceeds 300 per hour while school pedestrians are going to or from school; or
• Where justified through analysis of operations of the intersection.

The assignment of an adult crossing guard may be withdrawn when the crossing fails to meet the requirements as listed above.

Duties

School crossing guards do not direct traffic in the usual sense of controlling or regulating the flow and movement of cars and pedestrians. Their role is to safely expedite the movement of elementary school children to and from school by creating gaps in traffic.

The very presence of school crossing guards tends to prevent unlawful and unsafe acts by pedestrians or motorist. By employing proper safety procedures and by exercising due caution, crossing guards can help to instill in roadway users desirable practices which can, in time, become habits.

Additional Information

If you would like information on becoming a school crossing guard or general information please contact the Fremont Police Traffic Unit at 510-790-6760.