School Crossing Guards Laid Off in Budget Cuts

After Christmas vacation, there will be no crossing guards to escort elementary and middle school students across the streets in Hawthorne. The city notified all 15 guards that they will be laid off after Jan. 9.

The guards, who earn $7.61 an hour, are just a handful of the 88 city employees who received pink slips this week notifying them that their jobs are being eliminated to save $4 million in the city budget.

One of the heaviest hit areas was the Police Department. Seventeen police officer positions are being cut and 29 part-time employees, including the crossing guards, are being taken off the payroll.

Police Chief Stephen Port said Thursday many officers involved in crime prevention activities, such as drug sweeps, will be diverted to street patrol. The layoffs also will affect response time to low-priority 911 calls. Some burglary reports may have to be taken at the Police Department instead of at the scene, Port said.

The budget reduction is necessary, officials said, because voters in November rejected a 5% utility tax. In addition to the layoffs, the city has closed its only municipal swimming pool and its teen center. The senior citizens center will sharply reduce its hours.