Traffic gets a bad rap in Westport.
But Bob Weingarten thinks the officers who direct it are heroes.
He writes:
The entire Westport police force should be recognized as unsung heroes. Mostly unseen, they drive through our neighborhoods, provide accident assistance, and protect us day and night, among too many other tasks too lengthy to list.
But I propose we recognize 2 individuals many of us drive by and see almost daily, who control and enhance traffic movement at 2 locations.
They may not be the only traffic agents who handle these 2 intersections. But they were on duty last week, so I took photographs to recognize and thank them.
Gerald Waldron and Aleta Franklin, at work. (Photos/Bob Weingarten)
I found the first agent who controls the lights and traffic flow at the intersection of Post Road West, and Wilton Road and Riverside Avenues (Route 1 & 33) around noon. Gerald Waldron works in rain, cold and (especially in the last few days) extreme heat.
The other agent, Aleta Franklin, provides traffic control especially during the afternoon rush hour at the Cribari Bridge in Saugatuck, when Westporters arrive back at the train station after work. There is also lots of traffic in both directions from Riverside Avenue.
Interestingly, the William F. Cribari Bridge was named for a previous traffic agent.
Westport Police Lieutenant Jillian Cabana notes, “those are difficult posts even without the unforgiving temperatures we had last week “
So please join me in thanking all the officers of the Westport Police Department, and complementing these 2 specific traffic agents for assisting in the control and flow of traffic at these important intersections.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com)
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Thanks for identifying Gerald Waldron. I’ve watched him at his job for decades (it seems) and he is the best! Never loses focus and coreographs the traffic like a pro that he is. He is the best example of bring your passion to the job at hand. He is hands down great at his. I always wanted to thank him but was always just passing his hand signals…this hero is nameless no more.
Great choices. We used to live down the street from Gerry—he was among the terrific neighbors we were very fortunate to have. And his energy level is amazing—wish I had even half of it!
The use of the term “hero’s” in this article is troubling to the proper definition of same. IMHO, that is…
Troubling…really?
Lighten up Francis. Google it.
Kudos to both of these traffic agents for the difficult work they perform for us. I am grateful they are there every day–rain or shine or heat.
Hero: A person who is idealized for courage outstanding achievements or other notable qualities 🙏
I see bot of them and others every day and very much appreciate their service to traffic control. It helps a lot.
Especially appreciate the help at Riverside Av and the Post Road, do it every day around 5 pm and it is frequently a nightmare! Thanks!
Westport police are terrific on land and sea.
Don’t forget aerospace and around the world. Westport PD rocks!! North Avenue? (Not so much).
I have always respected the police. And in the Wonder Years, they were often your neighbor and/or your umpire at your Little League games. No more. The crossing guards at North @ Reamer and North @ Staples are super guys as cars zoom by them during school months. But I had one officer tell me: “The biggest problem in Westport is residents dumping their garbage in commercial dumpsters.” Really?
Foti picks up garbage on I-95 on his day off. Trash has no home in Westport. But if you want to see how fast your car can go…..
Funny, I could have predicted the locations! 😩
Hey Cristina!!!
How are the cops at the UP of MI? I’m thinking of taking a vacation up there and whether I need to bring a radar detector. I gave mine away when I lived in Westport. Didn’t need it. Stocked up on litter bags though. Don’t litter in Westport!!!!
I agree with Mark Yurkiw, I’ve watched Gerry direct traffic for
as long as I can remember, he is the best , really knows how to move the traffic and his energy is amazing, he is awesome
to watch!
The traffic “cops” are great in a very dangerous job. In regard to the regular police force, I am somewhat perplexed why so many have to guard the Willowbrook Cemetery during the day and then put on their “camo” protective vests to fend off predators at the Exxon (Post Road @ North Maple) most of the night?
Isn’t it a problem when a small town like Westport even needs traffic cops? I never saw a traffic cop in any place I’ve ever lived, except Westport.
Our open minded, socially conscious and curious police chief is the reason we have heroes to honor and even think about. Though I’ve pointed it out before, we should all be grateful to have Foti heading our police team; I think there may not be another police chief like him.
I just hope we can keep him. Rumor has it the Lyman PD has their eye on him.
Oh Katz, save your bullshit. My father served 37 years in the Marine Corps, flew combat missions in three wars and is a true hero. Foti seems like a fun guy but wearing a Hawaiian shirt in photo ops and traveling to Ukraine is not helping the drug overdose rate at Staples, which leads the state.
Whoa!!! Jammie!!! Definitely a Marine’s daughter 🤩🫵👍
The traffic cop in Saugatuck is no hero. In fact she contributes to traffic more than she directs it. She just changes the lights, but doesn’t direct cars. I can’t tell you how many times I have waited to make a right turn onto bridge st, but not had her go into the intersection and direct cars in the right lane to go (it’s a no turn on red). She just stands by the box and changes the lights, while traffic backs up under the rail bridge on Railroad Pl and to the Charles St/Saugatuck Ave intersection – almost entirely with people wanting to make that right onto bridge st. That intersection needs someone in the middle of the intersection, directing traffic from 3:30-6, not someone on the side of the road pressing the buttons to make the light change.
I am perplexed how people doing the jobs they signed up for are notable heroes but to each their own. My view of a hero is someone that goes above and beyond their normal duties and does / achieves something notable. I agree with Alex, the lady traffic agent being referenced is not doing a satisfactory job and should be re-trained/evaluated/replaced. I have been noticing she just stands on the side of the road either changing the lights or waiting for them to change on their own, barely directs cars, and there are constant missed opportunities for her to keep the traffic moving (for example when all the traffic backing up from the railroad station heading towards the bridge can turn right under her direction but are held up at the red light that has a no turn on red sign, and there is no conflicting traffic in their way). Can the no turn on red sign be removed? It seems with her directing traffic she is actually making it worse. On a similar note, I have watched the other traffic agent almost cause an accident the other day providing conflicting instructions and then throwing his arms up in the air at someone that did no wrong.
Indeed, my heroes wear dog tags. Semper Fi.
Gerald is awesome. Maybe the department could have him give training to the lady at Saugatuck/ Bridge st. Sorry to say she is in need of improvement.