If they wave us through, we love ’em.
If they put up a gloved hand to stop us, we hate ’em. Especially if they stop us just as we get there.
Or if we’re in even more of a rush than usual.
A typical North Avenue scene.
But Westport’s traffic cops deserve our thanks. They’re this week’s Unsung Heroes.
In the words of alert — and grateful — “06880” reader Lauren Barnett, who nominated them:
“They assist with, and add calm and order to, the madness and mayhem of parents and teenage drivers outside Staples High and Bedford Middle School at dawn, and in the frigid cold, each day.”
Lauren gives a shout-out too to “those officers who stand out in the cold night by the bridge and Rizzuto’s to direct anxious commuters safely home from the evening trains in Saugatuck.
“I wish I knew their names. We all should.”
Interestingly, the William F. Cribari Bridge (noted above) is named for a much loved — and very theatrical — traffic cop. He owned that well-traveled corner for years. Each day, he brought order, grace — even humor — to it.
Bill Cribari, at work (and play). (Photo courtesy of Paul Ehrismann)
That’s the thing: We may love them, tolerate them, or curse them.
But when they’re not there, we sure miss them.
(Want to nominate an Unsung Hero? Email dwoog@optonline.net)