The Town of Newmarket continues to seek answers for the absence of contracted crossing guards last week, but is ensuring all school crossings are staffed for now.
Crossing guards hired through a third-party contractor were missing from 10 locations on Thursday morning, with no explanation for the absence.
“The Town of Newmarket was able to cover all crossing guard locations today, and all locations will continue to be covered,” the municipality said in an update Friday. “Newmarket is still seeking a response from the third-party contractor.”
According to public bid documents, Newmarket’s crossing guard contractor is Neptune Security Services Inc., awarded Aug. 30, 2022. The contract went through an open tender process, with six bids received. The request for proposals called for services to run through the school year from September 2022 to June 2023. The document called for 10 crossing guards for up to four hours daily.
NewmarketToday did not receive a reply to a request for comment from Neptune Security Services Inc. before publication deadline.
The disruption impacts 10 locations, with other crossings already serviced by Newmarket staff. The intersections affected include:
- Ford Wilson Boulevard and Woodspring Avenue
- Prince Charles School and Srigley Street
- London Road and Osmond Crescent
- Ford Wilson Boulevard and Dowson Loop
- Woodspring Avenue and Bonshaw Avenue
- Gorham Street and Muriel Street
- College Manor Drive and Hollander Road
- Woodspring Avenue and Aspenwood Drive
- Bonshaw Avenue and Spruce Grove Crescent
- Patterson Street and Red Deer Street
The town has faced some recent criticism from crossing guards, with one former crossing guard telling NewmarketToday she wasn't supported by the municipality in complaints about driver safety. The municipality responded that it can address troublesome intersections with speed control measures upon requests.
The town currently employs 27 crossing guards itself.
The municipality asks motorists and pedestrians to use proper procedures to ensure safe crossings at school intersections.
