Police official calls for city to outsource school crossing-guard program
Posted April 14, 2012 8:32 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – The chairman of the Toronto Police Services Board has called for the city to outsource the school crossing-guard program.
In his report, Alok Mukherjee also calls for changes to court security, suggesting combined with changes to the crossing guard system they could save significant money.
It’s the first move in the ongoing battle to decrease police spending before the 2013 budget.
According to the Toronto Star, 700 crossing guards across the city are paid $11.33 per hour and get a 12 per cent travelling allowance.
At least one police officer is also assigned to coordinate guards at each police division.
Together court services and crossing guards cost the city approximately $57 million a year.
The reduction of workforce numbers and outsourcing of services is in line with Mayor Rob Ford’s philosophy at City Hall.
