At first, we had an issue because she does not cross our kids while they are traveling to & from the bus stop. My daughter’s first week of taking the bus, I crossed her across the street myself, because I was unaware that there was a crossing guard there. One day she got out of the car as I was crossing my child & reassures me that she will cross her, So politely I let her know that I had been crossing her for the week & didn’t see her. “Maybe I was in my car” was her response. I let it go. I live on a very busy intersection & She sits in her car the majority of the morning, when my kid leaves for school I leave for work, There have been many situations with kids almost being hit, kids crossing unattended, ect while she is on post. I often see the same car sitting in the same spot away from all cross walks. Obviously unable to see if kids are present or not. Today, 5/20/24 the main reason for this petition is because, my daughter was followed by a grown man from said crossing guard's post all the way to the bus stop and stood across the field as she got on the bus. (Also she was not crossed this morning) I came out to find someone to talk to, to get information for a police report, so of course I go to my local crossing guard who is posted right out front of my house. She proceeds to tell me she has nothing to do with that, she does not know or care and her only job is to cross kids (Meanwhile she does not even do that!) My daughter is 9 years old, & she did not have her phone this morning unfortunately. She came home out of breath today saying she wanted to rush home so that she could be safe & let me know what had happened that morning. For me to come out here to another woman letting her know my situation & her for be so dismissive is so unsettling. That route holds 60% young girls, who all leave at different times to make the bus. I can only imagine “What if he would have done something to my child”  or “What if he would have had an opportunity to take her”.. My daughter loves to walk to the bus stop in the morning & I would love for her to continue her Journey of becoming a young woman & handling the responsibility to get to her bus, but How is Someone in charge of children’s safety who does not care about that? I can not allow her to walk alone anymore because I do not trust this guard anymore. 

This level of negligence is unacceptable and puts our children at risk every day. As a mother I strive to protect all children. A crossing guard's primary responsibility is ensuring children's safety while they navigate busy streets on their way to school. We need someone who takes this role seriously when things of this nature happen. 

Please sign this petition if you believe we need a responsible and attentive crossing guard in front of our apartment building in Orange, NJ!