Charlotte school crossing guard ditches duty before bell rings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Each morning, children cross Park Road at Smithfield Church Road to get to Quail Hollow Middle School.

Crossing guards are in a position to guide students across the busy street.

One mother told Channel 9 their crossing guard is leaving early and putting children at risk.

Michelle England took a video of the crossing guard Thursday morning.

The video shows the crossing guard starting to pack up his safety equipment just before 9:05 a.m., 10 minutes before the bell rings.

The bell doesn't ring until 9:15 a.m.

In the video, England said, "He's putting his sign away, taking his vest off and he's about to leave."

England said the issue has been going on for the entire school year. She said she complained to the school multiple times.

Last week, she claimed the same guard left at 8:55 a.m.

Crossing guards have an important role, so Channel 9 looked into what Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools expect from them.

Crossing guards work part-time, 10 hours a week. Each year, guards are required to go through a three-hour school guard training course.

CMS said the school contracted the guard's supervisor, and as a result, the guard stayed through his entire shift Friday morning.

England said she wants to see that every day.

"I just want someone to be out there that actually cares that the kids cross the road safety," she said.

Cox Media Group