Columbia SO trains crossing guards

Columbia SO trains crossing guards

Columbia County Sheriff’s School Resource Deputies played the role of students Wednesday during a training session for school crossing guards.

The four-hour training was held in a classroom at and out front of Lake City Middle School so the crossing guards – some new and some returning – can work with traffic and rowdy "students".

Nine crossing guards participated in the training. Five school resource deputies "played" the role of students – some well behaved, others not so well behaved. Sgt. Greg "Skibo" Horne and SRD Clint Dicks served as instructors.

"It seems like a basic skill to assist someone across a street, but these crossing guards have to do several things at one time," said Sgt. Horne. "They have to manage the students, keep an eye on traffic and be aware of all of their surroundings, specifically any danger that might be coming their way."

Sgt. Horne said the main focus of the training is safety. "We work through scenarios of as many 

things as we can think of that might happen out on the street." Some of those situations include disobedient motorists, rowdy children and inattentive students.

Sheriff Bill Gootee said the training was good for the new crossing guards to learn the skills and the returning crossing guards to polish their skills.

"Anytime you don’t use a skill for a few weeks, you risk getting rusty," said Sheriff Gootee. "Now our crossing guards are ready to begin a new school year right along our teachers, students and administrators."