Lombard outsources crossing guards for $85,000

Lombard's school crossing guards soon will be employed by the company famous for crowd control at Wrigley Field and Chicago Stadium hockey games.

Andy Frain Services of Aurora will take over management of crossing guards next school year at 11 Lombard intersections under an $85,000 contract with the village.

Lombard police Chief Ray Byrne said he expects a smooth transition.

“We're not changing any aspect of the program,” Byrne said. “The crossing guards will remain the same.”

And so will the intersections where guards are stationed, including six crossings near schools in Lombard Elementary District 44 such as Hammerschmidt Avenue and Madison Street.

Byrne said the contract benefits the village because its 14 part-time crossing guards will get the chance to become Andy Frain employees — off the village's payroll and no longer an unemployment insurance liability.

When the next school year begins in August, it will be the first time Lombard uses an outside company to provide crossing guards, Byrne said.

But Lombard isn't the first town to outsource the service. Carol Stream, West Chicago, Bolingbrook and Oak Park already use Andy Frain to manage their crossing guards, according to the company.

West Chicago started a contract with Andy Frain three years ago and plans to continue using the company for crossing guard services, police Chief Laz Perez said.

“Before using Andy Frain, we were using our own officers,” Perez said. “It was more economical to resource it out.”

The company has noticed increased interest in outsourcing crossing guards for the past five years, as municipalities looked to cut their budgets and lessen their insurance risks.

“I think you may see more of a trend that way,” Byrne said.

Lombard guards who become Andy Frain employees will be trained in best practices and on-the-job mentoring. Their pay will remain about the same, Byrne said.

In Lombard, the village pays civilians — not sworn officers — to help children cross busy intersections near schools. The school districts aren't required to chip in, Lombard Elementary District 44 Superintendent Jim Blanche said.

Aside from locations near schools, guards at intersections such as Elizabeth Street and St. Charles Road, and Main and Maple streets help walkers cross intersections near downtown. But guards only are available during the school months of August through June, Byrne said.