As millions of New York City children get ready to head back to school in the coming weeks, the ongoing shortage of school crossing guards could be putting children as risk, according to the union representing them. 

"You only have one crossing guard to a school, when it should be four, one in each corner. It's just unsafe," Shaun D. Francois I, president of Local 372 and DC 37 told News 12. 

Earlier this summer, the Adams administration announced cuts to nearly 500 vacant crossing guard positions from the 2024 budget. While the cuts did not result in any layoffs, the union says more guards are needed. "Their services are vital, they're needed. It's not a want, it's a need here," Francois said. 

Rosa Browne was a school crossing guard for nearly 30 years, and she says current crossing guards also need more support from the city, including more money and police presence around schools. 

"While you're a school crossing guard you have the responsibility to watch the kids," she said.