SAFE CROSSING
- Danielle Alfonzo Walsman
- 46 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Getting to know our local crossing guards
By Danielle Alfonzo Walsman
Maplewood and South Orange have nearly 60 crossing guards to help ensure the safety of our children as they walk to and from school. The guards are also responsible for monitoring traffic patterns, reporting hazardous conditions and are often the friendly greeting and smiling face that our children rely on each day, no matter the weather conditions. In the first of a continuing series, Matters Magazine introduces you to some of the gems who help us all stop, look both ways and proceed safely to our destinations. Information about becoming a crossing guard is available at the websites of the Maplewood and South Orange police department.
Meet Grace
Grace has been crossing children at the southwest corner of Memorial Park since 2005. She previously worked for 20 years at a frozen food factory and recalled how cold it was at that job.
She says she thought the all-weather environment of a crossing guard would suit her well. Plus, she appreciates all the sunshine and fresh air.
Grace is responsible for a large and busy intersection. She said the most challenging part of her job is focusing on both corners at once. She has mastered crossing people at Baker while looking over her shoulder to ensure kids don’t cross Valley against the light. If she sees a child about to make an unsafe choice, she gives a loud “Stop!”
She always has a smile and warm greeting for children and adults. In her spare time, Grace plays bingo at the Union Boys & Girls Club.
When asked whether she has won, she answered, “Of course!” Maplewood is the real winner because Grace is 79 years young and plans to keep crossing children for as long as she can
Meet Rosa
Rosa works near Tuscan Elementary School and has been keeping students and their families safe at that intersection for 12 years.
Rosa said the people are the best part of the job and the cars are the biggest challenge.
Rosa said people wondered whether she would return to her post after being struck by a vehicle while working this past June. She said she knew she would.
Before being a crossing guard, Rosa was a manager for the U.S. Postal Service in Newark and acting postmaster of another office. She said she loved that career.
When it was time for a change, she heard of the crossing guard opportunity from a former colleague.
In her spare time, Rosa takes care of her mother and husband and enjoys shopping. Rosa’s care for all the people she encounters each day is more than apparent. At the end of our interview, she literally took me by the hand and said, “C’mon, baby, let me get you safely across.”
Meet Tom
Tom has been crossing students at Jefferson Avenue and Brookside Road since 2013 after retiring from a career in the seafood business.
He said he couldn’t just stay home and was interested when he heard about the job from a friend who was already a crossing guard in the district.
He grew up in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood and was one of six children. He and his brother are one of two sets of twins in the family!
Tom said there are “no hard parts” to being a crossing guard. He says he has received thoughtful cards from students over the years. He added that parents often comment about how loud and effective he is at stopping traffic.
Tom recently celebrated his 83rd birthday, enjoys growing vegetables in his home garden and plans to keep crossing kids for the foreseeable future.
Meet Edward or "Butch"
Edward, affectionately known as “Butch,” said he has been a SOMA crossing guard since 1963. He works the busy intersection of Scotland Road and South Orange Avenue but previously handled Valley Plaza.
He said he has had some brushes with vehicles over the years but is still going strong at 84 years old.
He is famous for his warm demeanor and elegant hand motions that were even featured in a piece by ABC News in 2020.
On weekends, Butch enjoys spending time with his wife and four grandchildren and watching the Yankees. He is indeed a local institution as he is often recognized around town when off duty, having literally seen generations of children safely to school.
Danielle Alfonzo Walsman is a Maplewood resident who lives at a busy intersection and counts her crossing guard as a treasured member of the family who kept her boys safe from stroller days through senior year.