Contact: Christian Castro, ccastro@teamstersjc42.org 

(Los Angeles, Calif.) The Teamsters are urging the Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee to reject a dangerous proposal that would dismantle a critical public safety program and put nearly 500 crossing guards out of work. These workers, represented by Teamsters Local 911, have long protected schoolchildren and supported working families throughout the city.

Later today, the committee will vote on whether to eliminate funding for the LA Crossing Guard Program and reallocate those dollars toward hiring full-time traffic officers and filling what are currently vacant positions.   This decision would not only displace hundreds of community members from jobs they depend on but would also jeopardize the safety of students at school sites across Los Angeles.

“Crossing guards are vital to our communities and essential to keeping children safe,” said Chris Griswold, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42. “Eliminating their jobs to fund a more expensive, less effective plan is a step backwards for public safety and fiscal responsibility. We urge the council to do the right thing and keep this life-saving program intact.”

“Replacing trained, experienced guards with traffic officers will cost more money and deliver worse results,” said Ray Whitmer, Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 911. “This program has been around for decades because it works. The city should be expanding it, not cutting it.”

Under the proposal, the city would eliminate the Crossing Guard Program and replace part-time crossing guards with full-time traffic officers. This approach would significantly raise costs and dismantle a long-standing, community-trusted safety program.

“I became a crossing guard after my daughter was hit by a car in 1990 while walking to school,” said Maria E. Lopez, who now works at a school in Boyle Heights. “I never wanted another family to go through what we did. This work matters. We’re out here making sure children are safe every single day.” 

“This program is essential to the safety and well-being of our students and families, said Secorra Gagau, Lead Guard in the Hollywood area. “Our crossing guards do more than help people cross the street — they build trust, provide reassurance, and create a safer community. Maintaining this program is not just important, it’s non-negotiable.”

Crossing guard work is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, ranking higher in injury and fatality rates than many industrial occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These workers take on that risk to ensure children can cross busy streets safely, rain or shine.

Teamsters Local 911 one of the fastest growing Locals in the Teamsters representing over 10,500 members in the public and private sector. More information can be found at www.teamsters911.com

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