Montclair State University to Employ Crossing Guards Alongside New Safety Upgrades

By Ben Capp

Montclair State University will continue employing student crossing guards this semester, even with the addition of new crosswalk beacons across campus.

Chief of Police Timothy Fox confirmed that student crossing guards will soon be stationed at key locations after completing their training. “We will definitely be employing students as crossing guards in that location,” Fox said. “It usually takes a couple of weeks to have all the new employees trained and on the road, but I’m excited to see we have several students returning and a number of new ones starting.”

The newly installed crosswalk beacons were added to improve safety when crossing Yogi Berra Drive between CarParc Diem and Dinallo Heights, an area heavily used by students traveling to and from the main campus. Over the summer, the university also constructed a new sidewalk along Yogi Berra Drive, from CarParc to the stadium, and re-striped road markings and crosswalks in multiple locations.

Fox emphasized that while infrastructure and staffing improvements increase safety, responsibility is shared between both drivers and pedestrians. “We ask that drivers do their part to drive safely, slow down, pay close attention to the crossing guards and pedestrians, follow the directions of the guards, and avoid rushing through crosswalks,” he said. “Pedestrians can also help by using designated crosswalks, waiting for the crossing guard’s signal when there is one on duty, looking both ways and staying alert while crossing.”

The Police Department said these combined measures—technology upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and student crossing guards—reflect the university’s commitment to making campus roads safer for the Red Hawk community.