Just before midnight on Monday, off-duty school crossing guard Valerie Jackson was arrested in Park Slope after allegedly choking a child.
According to NYPD, Jackson, 59, was charged with strangulation, acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old, and harassment.
Cops from the 78th Precinct took Jackson into custody. NYPD did not immediately provide information about the school where Jackson was employed.
Jackson was said to be fighting with two of her relatives, a 33-year-old woman and the woman’s 9-year-old daughter, at a home the three shared near Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street, according to amNewYork. Police told amNewYork that the girl was not Jackson’s daughter.
After choking the girl, Jackson punched the 33-year-old woman, cops say.
The NYPD position of school crossing guard is part-time employment. Crossing guards look out for children walking across busy intersections near their schools in the morning, at lunch time and at the end of the school day. They are paid $15 an hour and receive health insurance for a 25-hour week.
According to the city’s official website, candidates have to meet certain physical and medical requirements and complete six days of training at the NYC Police Academy.
