Changing of the School Guard in DeKalb

There will literally be a changing of the guard in the DeKalb County Police Department come next school year. The county will be shifting its crossing guard unit, which is currently under the Special Operations division of the police department, over to the DeKalb County Board of Education. 

“The change will take place July 1 and it will affect 135 crossing guards,” said Mekka Parish, Public Information Officer for the DeKalb County Police Department. Budget cuts were the reason for the change, Parish said.

Because of a deficit in tax revenue, DeKalb County found it necessary to make significant budget cuts in several of its departments, including the sheriff’s office and police department. The police department's budget was cut by about 4.5 percent.

Tony Lowe, supervisor for the crossing guard unit, said each guard will have to reapply with the DeKalb County Board of Education and some of the guards are fearful about the application process.

“Whenever there is change there will be fear," Lowe said. "Concerns about pay have been an issue, too."

Lowe said he spoke with Don Smith, the School Resource Officer for the Board of Education, and Smith reassured Lowe that "he will run things the same and that they are looking forward to the crossing guards coming on board."