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Onalaska police are worried they are going to have to pull officers off patrol in order to be crossing guards for school children. The city of Onalaska is short on crossing guards when someone calls in sick.

Administrator for the police department, Pam Sharp, said she has often had to do crossing guard duty. “We are short on alternates. When a guard calls in sick, then I have to go do it myself or pull an officer off patrol,” she said. “Right now we have seven guards and one alternate.”

Sharp has had to leave the police department office to be a crossing guard at least once a week each school session, sometimes more. “I get out there with my trusty sign and vest.”

“If we don’t get more guards, I’ll be out there myself,” Interim Police Chief Tim Hauser said. He said it is more efficient for citizens to be crossing guards than police officers. Officers who are pulled for crossing guard duty aren’t available for more serious issues.

It’s hard for most schools to attract and retain crossing guards. “Some guards are older folks,” Sharp said. “People get sick, they go on vacation, their lives go through the normal course of events.”

Sharp is also concerned drivers aren’t going to pay attention to the intersections when school starts. “We’re just asking people to be aware starting next week there will be kids on the street, so be extra careful.

The city has five locations at which it needs crossing guards and where extra caution is needed: Main Street and Sixth Avenue; Main Street and Sand Lake Road; Sand Lake Road at Quincy; Quincy at the middle school; and East Avenue at Troy Street.

Sharp said the group of crossing guards has provided incredible service over the years. “They don’t do it for the money,” she said. “They do it for the kids.”

The Onalaska Common Council recently approved an increase in the wage rates for crossing guards. Starting guards earn $9 per hour and after four years will earn up to $11.

The minimum age is 16.

The police department provides raincoats and traffic safety vests.

Anyone interested in becoming a crossing guard for the morning or afternoon shifts, or both, should call the police department at 781-9550.