MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — There’s a desperate need for more crossing guards in Manatee County.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office says that since the pandemic, there has been a huge decrease in crossing guards.

Monday through Friday you can expect to find Susan Kervin posted at an intersection.

“Just keeping them safe,” she said.

She's helping students cross the street to get to school.

“Have a good day,” she said to students as they walked by her.

Kervin is a school crossing guard and has been on the job for four years.

“Well, somebody needs to watch after these kids, because the traffic is terrible,” she said.

It was an idea she had when she retired.

“Being retired I was getting bored, and I had done several volunteer jobs at different places, and I just didn’t feel needed,” she said.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, there are about 67 crossing guards in Manatee County right now with another 25 positions open.

The county has had to pull people from traffic and civil divisions to have enough eyes on students.

Sgt. Robert Spurlock oversees the traffic unit and says it’s a problem that needs to be resolved.

“That’s why we are reaching out to the public to see if there is any help of support we can get in order to fill some of the crossings, because this is a public safety issue,” he said.

Kervin says the job fills her day with purpose and fills her wallet too she makes about $15 an hour.

“I still have my day of doing stuff but I still have employment for something to do every day for the exercise and enjoyment of fresh air, so that’s why I do it every day,” she said.

Kervin gets up early before school starts to help students safely get to class then, when school lets out, she returns to her spot.

“That’s the main job is to keep these children safe,” she said.

Working as a school crossing guard is where she says she feels needed the most.