Introduction
Within the public safety field, adult school crossing guards are among the least acknowledged and recognized of all. They are constantly battling harsh weather conditions and the all-too-common road rage from daily commuters while tending for our children’s safety. Unfortunately, these school zone guardians are at constant risk from the many inherent hazards of their job. Among those are the harsh weather conditions they encounter without shelter, the oncoming traffic they signal to stop, and the ever-increasing violence of daily commuters.
The Job
An adult school crossing guard’s primary responsibility is to ensure children cross the street safely when walking or biking to and from school (University of North, n.d.). Crossing guards also prevent erratic behavior by children and other pedestrians while near potentially dangerous vehicle traffic. They use existing gaps in traffic to safely guide pedestrians across the street, they alert motorists of crossing pedestrians, and they ultimately report any incidents and mishaps to the authorities.
In reality, each child is overall responsible for his own safety; nevertheless, the crossing guard are placed there as a risk reduction tactic to avoid any children casualties (University of North, n.d.). He patiently waits for pedestrians to approach the road crossing or intersection and politely educates them on road crossing safety while waiting for the right moment to stop traffic.
In due time, the crossing guard signals oncoming traffic to stop using hand signals or signaling devices (University of North, n.d.). While the traffic stops, the guard walks to the middle of the road/intersection, signals pedestrians when it is safe to cross, and remains there until all pedestr...
... middle of paper ...
...ool crossing guard on duty, children would be at an extremely high risk of being struck by oncoming vehicles.
Conclusion
Keeping in mind that school-zone crossing guards are safety measures of their own, many strategies can be used to make this profession safer. Even though, stopping traffic for pedestrians to cross during rush hour is a risky business: the benefit of having a crossing guard safely guide our children to safety heavily outweighs the risks. With that being said, implementing the previously identified risk reduction tactics can ensure crossing guards operational risk level is tolerable limits.
Works Cited
Jensen, R. C. (2012). Risk-reduction methods for occupational safety and health. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. (n.d.). Adult School Crossing Guard Guidelines. Chapel Hill, NC: Author.
This study was created by Lt. Wells on behalf of the Florida Highway Patrol. Lt. Wells was a member of the Law Enforcement Stops and Safety Subcommittee. This committee is volunteer-based and works under the financial support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is affiliated with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. As a me...
When working practitioners must not only protect the children they work with when in the school setting and off site, but also themselves. Whether in school or off-site the school safeguarding policy should be referred to, to give guidance and adhered to at all times.
... the school system is working with the community to create a safety plan where each of their faculty and staff and students can feel and be in a safer environment, and also, with student’s privacy they will keep the usage of lockers to a minimum as well as a search of the lockers.
Although most security measures passively make schools safer, it is not nearly enough to prevent an individual who intends on creating mass violence from completing his or her task. State representatives, national organizations, school staff, and parents need to come together to figure out the most reliable ways to prevent an active shooter situation from occurring in their schools. One solution that has been active is many schools have partnered with local law enforcement agencies to provide a police officers to patrol school grounds....
Which can be having armed officers walk though halls, making sure the school is safe from any harm that could potentially happen.
School violence has become a very popular issue nowadays. From tragic school shootings to unexpected stabbings, each school’s safety is being placed in jeopardy. From Columbine High School shooting in 1999, to Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in 2012 and the recent stabbing in April, school violence has not decreased. It is time to do something now, if further action is not taken these issues will continue. Before school violence becomes too common to students and intruders, restrictions and plans must be implemented now.
The liability of innocent bystanders possibly caught between crossfire, and negligent decision making actions from an officer is a concern. Placing armed guards in public schools may be the immediate answer, but mixed thoughts of adding more gun presence in the schools will only amplify the chance of liability when it comes to school safety. For example nine bystanders were caught in crossfire during a shooting that took place at the Empire State Building in New York City in 2012 . Paul Timm, the vice president of RETA Security Inc. known as a base consulting firm for school advisement is not in favor for arming security guards based on the lack of organization and benchmark-standards supporting the training requirements and qualifications armed guards possess . Statistics confirm that training is not an issue when it comes to quality as well as standards within the COPS program. Mishaps do occur however the based on circumstances and implementing risk management, the end result is minimal. Mr. John Hamill, Oklahoma school district spokesman elaborates on the facts of all security personnel do attend and complete the standard law enforcement certification. The course covers in detail the use of force, training tailored to the assigned weapon, and the rules of engagement when it comes to deploying and the use of their firearm . Risks are always present and no two
Specific Purpose Statement: To inform my audience how to insure their safety, and the safety of others, while on the road
In recent years, tragedies have been visited upon schools across the country. From Kentucky to Oregon to Colorado, the notion of schools as safe havens has been shattered by the sound of gunfire. These acts are not limited to any geographic regions or family backgrounds, nor do they have a single catalyst. Those who have committed such heinous acts have done so for different reasons, at different times, in different schools. But these acts of school violence have at least one thing in common- they have spurred all of us to take a look at what can be done to better protect children and teachers at school. Protecting our children is not simply a matter of public policy. It is a matter of strengthening basic values, of teaching children right from wrong, of instilling in them respect for others. We each have a responsibility to work to end youth violence and to keep schools safe for children and for those who teach them. Youth violence in many schools has reached universal proportions. It is not only happening in our high schools, it has also made its way into our elementary and middle schools. Everyone seems to have a different perspective on why there is such a problem with school safety. Some say it is the parents’ fault, some say it is the media, and others blame the schools. Yet, the question still remains. What can be done to make schools safer for the children and staff? One thing we need to do is learn to listen to our children and observe their behavior. According ...
Thousands of people are affected by the lack of school safety in schools across the nation. Students everywhere are attending schools that are more dangerous than expected. This is a growing concern everywhere, and schools need to improve, or else they are prone to being unsafe. Whether it is building, drill, concussion, social, or technology safety, schools need to improve to lower the risk of an incident.
The issue of school safety has become a controversial topic in the United States, due to tragic acts of violence occurring on a daily basis. American citizens should never have to cope with the negative impact of school violence, no matter how often they hear about the tragedies (Jones, "Parents" 1). In the past, schools were viewed as a safe place for children to get an education. Recently, the concern over violence in schools has taken a toll on many parents, school administrators, and legislatures (Eckland 1). Studies have shown that there are over 3 million acts of violence in American public schools each year. Not all occurrences are serious and deadly, but they occur on a daily basis throughout our country (Jones, “School” 6). This has caused many parents to worry about the well-being of their children while they are in class. This has also led to an increase in questions and concerns by parents and guardians. Many people have asked, “What are you doing about safety and security on my child’s campus” (Schimke 2). School violence is the cause of elevated worry and fear for their children, and school districts should enforce better security.
It’s true what everyone talks about safety – you are the key to your safety, when you do it safely you do it the right way and the best gift you can give to your family is to always stay safe. We have been taught by our parents and teachers to be cautious while doing a number of things. That’s very essential in our daily lives, because one needs to be extra cautious to prevent unavoidable accidents. However, mishaps do happen everywhere in the safest of places, no matter how careful we are in our actions. It is highly unpredictable, what’s going to happen the very next instant. There are numerous incidences we come across like simple trips, falls, cuts due to sharp objects, burns or sudden worsening of a person’s health condition, causing
Not all security guards are out in public, depending on position they can be watching through a camera. For example I would compare my quote to Dillard’s because they have cameras and security but security is looking through cameras and not physically there. “Security guards, also called security officers, protect property, enforce rules on the property and deter criminal activity”. Security guards are protection of a certain property to make sure rules are not broken. Rules are always broken that’s why you have a lower type of law enforcement. Being a security guard is important to understand because it requires a lot of dedication and it’s not only your life that can be in danger. You should always follow procedures and pay attention to your surrounding because you never know when or where danger lies.
...feguarding ensures everyone working with students are responsible to respond to their needs, that includes children's ages 0 to 18 and vulnerable adults. All teachers are responsible for maintaining a safe learning environment, that not only evolves keeping learners safe form physical, emotional, sexual and neglect abuses but also covers Health and Safety and others policies and procedures. If a student discloses something inappropriate has happened '' You CANNOT promise to keep this information secret or confidential'' , you have a duty to respond (do not ask questions), record and report it to a student advisor team or your line-manager.
The most recent acts of violence by children have prompted us as a nation to look at the causes and possible solutions to this crisis in our schools. In fact, according to Public Agenda, a national organization that conducts public opinion research on educational issues, school safety was identified as the most important issue affecting schools by those surveyed (Johnson & Immerwahr, 1994/1995).