Crossing guards absent as schools open

ALBQUERQUE (KRQE) - A "miscommunication" is to blame for at least two Albuquerque Public Schools having no or fewer crossing guards on the first day back to school, a spokesperson for the city of Albuquerque said Wednesday.

Ventana Ranch Elementary School had no crossing guards at a busy four-way stop. That road usually has two guards.

At Longfellow Elementary, Christine Najera said she didn't find out until she showed up to work that she'd be alone. She said one other person normally helps her get kids safely across the street at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue NE and Edith Boulevard.

"I was sure stressed this morning," Najera said. "It was a very, very terrible morning for me with no assistance anywhere."

The city is about 40 crossing guards short until Aug. 28, city spokesperson Chris Ramirez said.

Because crossing guards are seasonal they're not allowed to work 90 days out of the year. For many, their last day was the end of May.

Ramirez said they'll be fully staffed at 100 crossing guards by Aug. 28 and that they'll work with the Albuquerque Public Schools district so this doesn't happen again next year.

He said that they're filling the gaps by asking Albuquerque Police Department service aides to help as crossing guards until the end of the month although some sort of miscommunication left Ventana Ranch and Longfellow short on Wednesday morning.

An APS spokesperson said that the city decides where and how many crossing guards each school gets.

Bud Warren, who's helped get kids safely to Ventana Ranch for years, said it took awhile for him to find out he'd be working solo.

"It was very, very hectic," said Warren.

He said he had no idea that up the road at the four-way stop, which is the busiest road that kids have to cross near Ventana Ranch, there were no crossing guards at all.

Kathy Fox, who drives passed the school everyday, said she witnessed a child dart in front of her husband's moving vehicle.

"I just thought this is crazy," said Fox.

Najera and Warren said they need all the help they can get before anything bad happens.

"This street is probably the busiest that I've ever worked," Najera said.