Sun Prairie, Wis. – The City of Sun Prairie announced Tuesday that it will revise its crossing guard program beginning Jan. 1, 2027 after a comprehensive safety review conducted by the Sun Prairie Police Department. The review examined traffic volumes, roadway characteristics, speed, crash history, pedestrian infrastructure and overall risk at each crossing guard location.
Objective, data‑driven changes
City officials emphasized that the goal of the review was not to eliminate crossing guards but to ensure that the limited resources are deployed where they provide the greatest safety benefit. “Our goal is straightforward: to protect our students and pedestrians, to use objective information to guide our decisions, and to ensure that the City’s crossing guard resources are deployed where they provide the greatest benefit of safety,” said Sun Prairie Police Chief Kevin Warych.
Chief Warych added that the city will continue to work closely with school partners, monitor the effectiveness of the new assignments and make adjustments as needed. “We are confident that these changes will not jeopardize safety,” he said.
What will change in 2027
For the remainder of 2026, crossing guards will remain at their current locations. However, the city plans to reduce the number of guards from two to one at four intersections: Main St./Walker, Grand Ave./Blue Heron, Windsor/N. Thompson and N. Thompson/Pennsylvania. The city also indicated that some locations will see a discontinuation of crossing guard coverage altogether, though specific sites were not listed in the release.
The adjustments are based on a set of criteria that include crossing volumes, speed limits, crash history and existing pedestrian facilities. By focusing on high‑traffic, high‑risk crossings, the city aims to maximize safety outcomes while using its budget responsibly.
Community response and next steps
Parents and local residents have been invited to provide feedback as the city finalizes the new staffing plan. The city’s website hosts a detailed overview of the upcoming changes and a contact form for community input.
Sun Prairie’s approach reflects a broader trend among municipalities to rely on data‑driven analyses for public‑safety decisions. By aligning crossing guard deployment with measurable risk factors, the city hopes to maintain safe routes to school while stewarding taxpayer dollars.
Where to find more information
Additional details, including the full safety review report and a map of current crossing guard locations, are available on the City of Sun Prairie’s official website.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
