Hazel Butts is the supervisor of the Gardendale crossing guards, a title she’s earned after 45 years on the job.

She started her job as a crossing guard at the same time her children started school.

“My husband worked nights, and he wanted me home when they were home,” said Butts.

She said there aren’t as many students walking to and from school as there were in 1965, but that increased traffic means crossing guards have become traffic safety officers.

“Our main purpose is the safety of the children,” said Butts.

Aside from one stationed at Snow Rogers Elementary School, all of the 13 crossing guards operate on the roads surrounding the square mile containing Gardendale Elementary School, Gardendale High School and Bragg Middle School.

There are 12 positions, and the guards rotate so they can learn all of the stations and be able to take over for an absent guard. Butts said she has watched the city gradually hire more and more guards to keep up with the growing student population.

“I enjoy people and I love kids,” she said. “Gardendale is my home, and I’m blessed to live here. I’m glad the city has confidence in us.”

She said being a crossing guard can be a dangerous job, and it’s up to both the guards and drivers to keep everybody safe.

“There is danger. If you’re not on your P’s and Q’s, you can get run over,” said Butts. “People should watch their speed in the school zone, and be more attentive. We’ve had a lot of near accidents in the past because of people not paying attention.”

The guards usually work about two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, arriving about an hour before school starts and staying about an hour after it ends. Butts said the time can go by quickly, except when it’s raining.

“We have to work in all kinds of weather,” she said. “But, I’m an old country girl, so I’m used to that.”

Butts is also in charge of training new guards and making their work schedules.