Newark’s Department of Public Safety is introducing its first class of school crossing guards to their ranks. Twenty-eight vetted and trained residents are being assigned to the most traffic burdened areas of the city.
“We had a group of people, we went through 500 people to get these 28. They are the first point of security that these kids will see going to school and out of school,” says Anthony Ambrose, Director, Newark Department of Public Safety.
Mayor Ras Baraka says hiring more crossing guards has been a request from city parents since he took office.
“We are excited to be able to expand it but also to allow Newark residents to have an opportunity to help us out; the city, help our children, help our community,” says Baraka. “At the same time you guys look good by the way. You almost look better than the new police officers that come in here. Kind of bright but you look good.”
Fannie Johnson of Newark in her pressed pants, white button up shirt, and neon yellow vest is looking forward to hitting the streets.
"Wherever they put me I’m glad to be there. I just want to serve the children. I just want to make sure that people can get to and from safely without hurt harm or danger and that there’s a smile and a face that they will remember. They will remember me when they are older and in high school,” says Johnson.
Maglay Loperena feels the same way.
“I’m going to try to be the best cool crossing guard there is, especially because I’m a grandma, I love kids. Kids are the future,” Loperena says.
The department plans to add forty more crossing guards on top of the first class of twenty-eight.