Police Department to hire crossing-guard supervisor, more crossing guards

The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) is expected to hire a crossing-guard supervisor and additional crossing guards in the next few months.

Crossing guards employed by LCPD help to ensure the safety of children crossing streets on their way to and from Las Cruces Public Schools elementaries.

The supervisor position, which has been vacant since April, closed Oct. 19. The City of Las Cruces Human Resources Department (HRD) was expected to begin interviews for the position in November, the city said. A new supervisor could be in place by the beginning of the new year, said HRD Deputy Director Meg Haines.

LCPD Deputy Chief Kiri Daines said the police department likely will post openings for additional crossing guards in the near future.

Anyone interested in serving as a crossing guard can check the city website at www.las-cruces.org/143/Apply-For or go to the city website (www.las-cruces.org) and select Human Resources to follow the employment link. Click on “Employment Opportunities” and search for “crossing guard” to see if any positions are open.

The application process includes background investigations before individuals are hired, Daines said.

LCPD currently employs 25 crossing guards and could hire up to 40, depending on the number of school-district crosswalks there are, she said.

Daines said the current shortage of crossing guards “is caused by numerous issues. Many of the folks who work as crossing guards are older and some have chosen not work due to exposure issues to Covid or underlying medical conditions,” she said.

Daines said the job’s unusual hours – early mornings, afternoons and sometimes evenings – can also make it difficult for some people.

Daines said there also are advantages to working as a crossing guard, including having weekends and holidays off. But holiday and summer breaks can be a drawback, she said, if people need a regular, weekly income.