Who: 
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- School Crossing Guard Program

What:  
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office will host the annual School Crossing Guard Program Appreciation Day. Length of Service Certificates, FDOT Badges, and Perfect Attendance, will be presented to 68 members.

Where:        
The event will be held at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

When: 
The program presentations will begin at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2020.

How/Why: 
The Sheriff’s Office will recognize the service and dedication of members of the School Crossing Guard Program during Florida’s Annual School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.

The Governor has designated Friday, February 7, 2020 as School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in the State of Florida. A total 68 members will be honored with the following:

·         Length of Service Certificates (12)

·         Florida Department of Transportation (27 FDOT badges)

·         Perfect Attendance Certificates (29)

The Pinellas County School Crossing Guard Program will also honor three (3) crossing guards that were nominated as Crossing Guard of the Year for the State of Florida and four (4) crossing guards that participated in the Early Learning Coalition – Officer Friendly Book Club,

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office School Crossing Guard Program presently has 144 crossing guards and 16 Region Coordinators covering 190 school crossing posts in the unincorporated areas of Pinellas County, as well as in the contract cities of Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Seminole, St. Pete Beach, and Madeira Beach.

The School Crossing Guard Program began in 1972 as a volunteer program.  Through the years the program has grown to meet and adhere to F.D.O.T. standards. Each school crossing guard attends a mandatory six-hour classroom training session and two-hours of field training. This is followed up with three days of field training at the guard’s assigned post.

Media is invited to cover this event. Any inquires can be directed to Sergeant Jessica Mackesy at jmackesy@pcsonet.com.