Newton's Police Department is hiring eight crossing guards to shore up school-zone coverage that has been short-staffed since the start of the fall semester.

Four of the positions would fill open posts, and four would provide short-term coverage so police officers are not pulled from other duties, according to Fig City News, which first reported the hiring push on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The recruitment drive follows a difficult start to the school year. Newton entered September with four vacant crossing-guard posts at intersections near neighborhood schools, including Morton Street and Commonwealth Avenue and Walnut Street and Linwood Avenue. Mayor Laredo directed other city staff to cover two of those posts starting Monday, Sept. 28, after a "Laredo Listens" public meeting on Sept. 15 drew complaints from parents, Fig City News reported.

The city budgeted for 52 crossing guards in 2020. That number dropped to 46 this year, with only 42 filled as of late September.

Police Captain Daniel Devine told Fig City News on Sept. 20 that the department was actively recruiting and hoped to have the positions filled soon. Newton's police force is 10 officers below its budgeted strength of 149, according to Fig City News.

Caren Seagraves, a ten-year veteran guard who works the Adams Street and Lincoln Road intersection, told Fig City News on Sept. 29 that filling the vacancies matters because "otherwise we are using police officers who have other responsibilities."

Seagraves, a trained scientist who does contract writing and programming from home, said she took the job in 2016 after seeing a hiring notice. She recalled how much she had relied on the crossing guard who kept her own daughter safe on a difficult walk to school.

Shifts run 45 minutes each. Guards work two per school day. Seagraves said she walks a mile per shift in short back-and-forth segments while guiding children and traffic. The department provides rain gear, a vest and a hat, plus a stipend for black pants, shoes and cold-weather items.

Newton has roughly 40 crossing-guard posts. Through seniority, guards choose annually where they want to work.

The position pays $11,073 a year for 7.5 hours a week over 10 months. Applicants must pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and have reliable transportation.

Keren Wainger, chair of Newton Safe Routes to School, told Fig City News on Sept. 20 that her group worried unfilled positions could be cut from the next city budget.

The crossing-guard shortage is not unique to Newton. Framingham, Attleboro and Boston have also struggled to fill the posts, according to Fig City News.

Residents interested in applying can find the posting on the city's online jobs portal.