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Sheriff says crossing-guard vacancies force deputies off patrol; commission amends and adopts Crockett Lane abandonment
Summary
Sheriff Rhodes warned shortages in crossing-guard staffing have required deputies to be reassigned; the law-enforcement committee recommended no new crossing positions this year. Separately, the commission amended and adopted Resolution 70828 to abandon a portion of Crockett Lane (amended length 1,330 feet) by recorded vote (23 yes).
Sheriff Rhodes told the commission the sheriff’s office has nine budgeted crossing-guard positions and that gaps in staffing often require deputies to be pulled from regular patrol to cover school traffic. "When we don't have them filled, especially ... we are expected to take a deputy off the road and bring him up there to work traffic," Rhodes said, describing the operational strain with limited deputies on duty.
The law-enforcement committee’s consensus was to maintain the current practice for the coming year without adding new crossing-guard positions, while working with municipalities and schools on longer-term solutions. Commissioners debated whether municipalities should be required to provide crossing-guard services within their jurisdictions and discussed options such as a local substitute pool, using school-based resources, or seeking grant funding for sidewalks and traffic-control improvements.
On a separate agenda item, Commissioner Green moved an amendment to Resolution 70828 (abandoning a portion of Crockett Lane) to correct the listed road length to 1,330 feet; Commissioner Tommy Little moved to put the resolution on the floor and the amendment passed on a recorded vote of 23 yes. The amended resolution also carried on the record (23 yes). Commissioner Green noted the amendment solves bus-turnaround and maintenance problems for the single affected landowner.
Sheriff Rhodes told commissioners they have engaged PTA groups and local volunteers for help but that recruiting a reliable substitute pool has been difficult; the sheriff’s office and commissioners discussed short-term and budgetary approaches to sustain safety at school sites.
The commission asked the law-enforcement committee to continue working with affected municipalities to coordinate responsibilities and budgets for crossing guards.
