In Denver, the folks in neon vests helping kids cross the street are now learning how to protect themselves too. Volunteer crossing guards are getting hands-on self-defense instruction from Denver police after a string of tense run-ins at school drop-off and pick-up. The new sessions blend verbal de-escalation with practical drills aimed at keeping guards and students safe while they wait for law enforcement to show up. Trainers and guards say the program is part of a broader push to shore up safety at some of the district’s busiest corners.
According to CBS Colorado, Denver police designed a defensive course and recently rolled it out to the district’s crossing-guard staff. Officer Roger Landeis, a DPD self-defense instructor, told the outlet, "This is crazy to me because these are volunteers that are trying to take their kids across the street," pointing to confrontations guards have had with impatient drivers and parents at busy intersections. The district told CBS there are about 45 crossing guards, and staff said each one had faced at least one confrontation on the job.
The new course builds on earlier efforts. CPR News reported that about 50 Denver Public Schools crossing guards took part in de-escalation role-play last September at Bruce Randolph High School, practicing tone, active listening and scripted scenarios. CPR also noted crossing guards earn roughly $20 an hour, and many told trainers they want more backup from police and city transportation officials during chaotic pick-up times. Trainers said empathy and communication often cool tempers before things get physical.
What Guards Are Being Taught
Officers have told trainers to hammer home verbal tactics first, with guards urged to be loud, clear and assertive when asking drivers not to block crosswalks or park in no-stop zones. Physical self-defense is framed as a last resort when a situation turns genuinely threatening.
As outlined by CBS Colorado, guards were shown simple barrier techniques, including using their handheld stop sign to create space between themselves and an aggressive driver and to buy time until a school resource officer can respond. Trainers also urged guards to report every incident to district safety staff so they can track patterns and problem spots.
District and City Coordination
Denver Public Schools says it has increased crossing-guard coverage in high-need locations and is bolstering safety training through its Office of Operations. According to Denver Public Schools, the Climate and Safety team has prioritized proactive intervention and de-escalation programs, and the city’s Safe Routes to School program notes it partners with DPS on crossing-guard staffing and drop-off planning. Officials from both sides say it will take a mix of training and infrastructure changes, including clearer no-parking enforcement and better signage, to cut down on risky encounters at school entrances.
Crossing guards say they appreciate the new drills, but many warn that the tactics are a stopgap unless driver behavior and enforcement improve. They are asking parents and commuters to follow school-zone rules, avoid double-parking and give guards room to do their jobs. For now, trainers say the mission is straightforward: keep children out of harm’s way until official help can get there.
