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By Winnie Hu The New York Times Thu., Dec. 27, 2018 NEW YORK—Elaine Vespermann waited on the corner for his lead. Only when Preston Martin charged across six lanes of rush-hour traffic did she follow behind him. He waved at cars to keep them at bay. He watched over her until she reached the other side of the street. After too many close calls, Vespermann, 38, a babysitter, does not like to cross by herself anymore. “He helps, always,” she said. “It’s very hard every day. There are too many cars and the people are crazy sometimes.” New York City’s increasingly frenetic streetscape has become a gauntlet for pedestrians forced to traverse multiple traffic lanes, weave around blocked intersections and sidestep bicycles and scooters whizzing by — all before the light turns from green to red. It is Martin’s job to make sure no one gets run over. While school crossing guards have long shepherded children across the … [Read more...] about In New York, where street safety is a $1.6-billion investment, a neighbourhood is hiring crossing guards for grown ups
Crossing guard
Markham crossing guard, 70, arrested after dispute with off-duty cop
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By Tim Kelly Markham Economist & Sun Jeremy Grimaldi Thu., Oct. 11, 2018 A 70-year-old Markham crossing guard was detained by an off-duty Toronto police officer and arrested on allegations of mischief by York Region police after a dispute turned ugly Tuesday morning. Police were called to the scene of “two men fighting” on the roadway outside the school at 281 Williamson Rd. in Markham at about 8:10 a.m. Tuesday,York Region police Const. Laura Nicolle said. Crossing guard Mohamed Hameed was working near Mount Joy Public School when his daughter Fathima Najamudeen said a nearby witness noticed a vehicle “doing a rolling stop.” “The vehicle started moving, while children were going across on the other side of the street,” Najamudeen said, speaking for her father Wednesday morning, since he was recovering at his home after suffering a medical emergency the day before. She said her father banged on the vehicle with his … [Read more...] about Markham crossing guard, 70, arrested after dispute with off-duty cop
Oakville crossing guard named Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard in national contest
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By Saira Peesker Oakville Beaver Thu., June 14, 2018 Every day before Darnley Lewis, 82, takes his post at the crosswalk outside St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Oakville, he offers up a prayer. “I took one look at what was going on and offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the safety of the students and everyone crossing,” said Lewis, who in early June, was one of three people to earn the title of Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard in a national contest. “There are good drivers out there, and not-so-good. Some drivers are courteous to the extreme and some are the opposite.” Lewis, a resident of Burlington, has been firmly but kindly patrolling the Colonel William Parkway crosswalk since 2014. He was one of 676 people to be nominated, a process that saw dozens of students, school staff and community members draw pictures, write letters and even make a video in support of his candidacy. The entire school population, along with local … [Read more...] about Oakville crossing guard named Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard in national contest
‘Meh, Canada,’ we stand on guard for thee
By Mandy Pipher Opinion Mon., April 2, 2018 “Welcome to America!” my friend texted when my delayed flight finally landed at LaGuardia. I saw her message while trying to find a place to wait for the bus into Manhattan where someone wasn’t smoking, often directly under a “no smoking” sign. Inside the terminal, the floors were dirty, the construction was chaotic, and people behind various corporate desks were tossing out genial haphazard comments and offers to one another and to passing travellers. “Hey thanks!” I wrote back as the airport employee standing beside me in the no-smoking area lit up a cigarette. “The decline in civility and the increase in vivacity is instantly apparent.” And I meant it. Just over an hour in the air and the calm, orderly sterility of Toronto Pearson seemed half a world away. America. Of all the things to say about the place, especially these days, you have to admit that there’s … [Read more...] about ‘Meh, Canada,’ we stand on guard for thee
Mona Piper, Toronto’s longest-serving crossing guard, dies aged 88
Mona Piper was Toronto’s longest-serving crossing guard, and loyally protected kids crossing near the corner of Millwood Rd. and Cleveland St. in Leaside for 43 years. Piper died Wednesday aged 88, spending more than 40 years of her life helping children cross the road on their way to Maurice Cody Junior Public School. She was born Oct. 9, 1929 on Guernsey Island, in the English Channel. Piper’s daughter Ann told the Star that working as a crossing guard was her mother’s “raison d’être.” “When I asked her why she didn’t retire long ago, she told me that the children keep her young and give her a reason to get out of bed in the morning,” Ann said. Josh Matlow (Ward 22, St. Paul’s), posted on Facebook Wednesday about Piper’s death. “On behalf of our community, we are so deeply grateful to Mona and will continue to celebrate her legacy together,” Matlow wrote. … [Read more...] about Mona Piper, Toronto’s longest-serving crossing guard, dies aged 88