The Flower Mound Police Department will take over crossing guard duties Nov. 6 at 62 sites across 22 Flower Mound schools. The transition comes after a split decision by Flower Mound Town Council to terminate its contract with All City Management Services Inc., the outside contractor previously charged with providing the town with crossing guard services. Police Chief Andy Kancel recommended against the termination of the contract. He said taking over the crossing guard program would put a strain on the Police Department, which was understaffed by 10 officers in August. The town hosted three job fairs in September to recruit crossing guards. Kancel told Community Impact Newspaper that the department would need to hire about 60 guards. At an Oct. 7 Town Council meeting, Kancel said the recruitment efforts have paid off: 84 people applied to become a crossing guard with the Police Department. “Certainly, this has been a very politicized issue in the community,” Kancel told the Town Council at the Oct. 7 meeting. “I would, respectfully, like to put this in the rear view mirror. I know that my goal and the police department’s goal is certainly to move forward and focus on the council’s decision and move forward and bring forward a great program.” Kancel said it has been a challenge to establish the program on a 90-day timeline, but he feels confident that the rollout will be smooth. “My staff has worked diligently to meet that timeline,” Kancel said. “And I can tell you with a lot of confidence tonight that I believe we’re going to get there.”