Police Revamp Crossing Guard Posts

The crossing guard at Elm Road and Linwood Terrace will be reassigned to the intersection of Central and Ravine avenues in Caldwell for the coming school year.

The change comes after a review of the crossing guard posts and recommended school routes was conducted by the Caldwell Police Department. 

Caldwell Police Sgt. Michael Pellegrino presented the agency’s recommendations at a council meeting Tuesday night. He said the revisions were based on where students live in the borough and where crossings could be safer. 

“That little 's' intersection is very dangerous,” said Pellegrino, referring to where Central meets with Ravine and Whitfield Street.

In addition to revising the crossing guard locations, Pellegrino, who leads the department’s traffic division, created a new school route plan for the four schools located in the borough, , , and .

Each school will receive a map to be placed in the principal’s office. The map indicates the crossing guard locations and recommended walking routes for that school. The school district will also notify parents of the updates.

In addition to Elm Road and Linwood Terrace, the plan also eliminates the crossing guard at Hillside Avenue and Hatfield Street, reducing the total number of crossing guard locations from 16 to 15.

Sgt. Pellegrino said the plan will be reviewed again in five years.

Crossing guards starting this year will be undergoing physical examinations, which will include hearing and vision tests.

“They have to be physically fit enough to stand post,” Pellegrino said.