Ridgewood is in desperate need for crossing guards. The district had nine open positions at the start of the school year.

Since then, police department patrol officers have filled in.           

All City Management, the company providing crossing guards, says people packed up to get other jobs.            

Everyone's main concern is student safety.

"The crossing guards are really an extension of us,” says Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke. “They are our eyes and ears. They provide for the safety of the kids. They are another trusted adult for the children to be able to talk to. They are so critical to our job, that this is why we have to cover those posts when they're not there, because of the safety of the kids."

Luthcke says there are still some openings but keeping officers in the positions has put a strain on law enforcement resources.