LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Gertrude Schaftlein had just celebrated 48 years with the Louisville Metro Police Department earlier this month when, while working as at traffic guard near Wellington Elementary School, she was hit by the driver of a semi-truck who then fled the scene.
Schaftlein was rushed to the hospital, where part of her right led had to be amputated.
Louisville Metro Police traffic guard Gertrude Schaftlein recovering in the hospital after losing part of her leg in a hit-and-run crash on Sept. 6, 2023. Image provided by LMPD.
Police tracked down the driver and arrested, him, but the incident — and many like it in 2023 — put a renewed focus on crosswalk safety near Louisville's schools.
"It's a reality check, because every day we're out here dealing with people running our stop signs, not paying attention, speeding and just blatantly disobeying us when we've got our stop signs up," said James Wilkins, an LMPD traffic guard.
Those are just some of the challenges Wilkins faces, particularly this year with all the changes to Jefferson County Public Schools.
"The challenges this year is the school times," he said. "And with the buses not being on time ... the kids are being dropped off more. So we're dealing with more traffic."
Right now, LMPD has 74 traffic guards, many of whom work outside several different schools. But the department needs to hire 38 more to make sure every school with a busy crosswalk is covered.
One of those concerning crosswalks sits outside Wilder Elementary School on Herr Lane. It's a major concern for school parents like Angela and Jarred Coan.
"People are always speeding through here, even during when it's flashing for school times," Jarred Coan said.
So far this year, they've noticed the school is often without a traffic guard in the morning and afternoon.
"I have, on occasion, stepped out and just put my hands up and said 'Stop!'" Angela Coan said.
The Coans said many drivers don't even stop when kids are present. They want to see visibility improvements at their crosswalk along with a guard.
"Not having one and having kids cross the street by themselves seems crazy," Jarred Coan said.
But, to accomplish that, LMPD needs more people to step up.
"We have flexible schedules, traffic guards that work up to four, six or eight hours a day," said Amanda Carpenter, an LMPD traffic guard supervisor. "So there's a lot of flexibility, and there's a lot of benefits that come with it."
In the meantime, officers will spend some extra time patrolling school zones.
"We're trying to just educate folks just to slow down, put the phone down (and) keep your seatbelt on," said LMPD Sgt. Ronald Fey, a member of the department's traffic unit. "And when you enter the school zones, make sure that you're even more aware."
If you'd like to apply to be a traffic guard, click here.
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