The other day, an “06880” reader suggested a true Unsung Hero: the traffic agent who works at Staples High and Bedford Middle Schools every morning and afternoon.
Traffic is heavy. He’s there — standing in a little North Avenue circle — waving bus drivers, parents and newly licensed teenagers in and out, in a complex but always efficient dance.
It was a great idea. But the subject demurred.
“You should mention all the traffic agents,” he said.
Of course!
Only a traffic agent is outside on a day like this.
Lieutenant Howard Simpson oversees the 30 or so Westport Police Department traffic agents. In addition to handling traffic at Staples, Bedford, and Coleytown Middle and Elementary Schools, they are posted at Routes 1 and 33 (the Riverside Avenue/Post Road West/Wilton Road “worst intersection in Connecticut”), Riverside Avenue at the Cribari Bridge, and other spots as needed, during crunch times.
(The Cribari Bridge may be the only piece of infrastructure in the country named for a traffic cop. The beloved Bill Cribari was a full police officer though — not an agent.)
They’re called upon too for the Memorial Day parade, Independence Day fireworks, and other major events.
Their job is to help keep traffic moving as best as possible, untangle messes — and avoid crunches.
They are civilians, not police officers (though some are retired from the department). The oldest — Jerry Waldron — is 91.
The Westport Police Department honored traffic agent Jerry Waldron last year, on his 90th birthday.
One of the youngest agents is working while going through paramedic school. He left his post one day near the train station after a man collapsed on the platform. The agent did CPR, and restored his heartbeat.
Traffic agents also help on road construction jobs, if police security is not needed.
New agents undergo extensive background checks, and classroom training. Then they go out “in the field,” learning to operate traffic lights.
They do not have enforcement powers, Simpson notes. They can write tickets at the railroad station. But they cannot ticket a moving vehicle.
Move it!
“They’re here because they want to be,” Simpson says. “They’re all motivated to serve and help.
“Everyone complains about traffic,” he adds “But when you’re trying to get home from the station, or through 1 and 33 at lunchtime, or picking your kids up at school, they’re the ones helping you get through it.”
The next time you see one of our Unsung Heroes, honk your horn to thank them for their work.
Actually, that’s not a great idea. Maybe wave instead.
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor them — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to help us do that, by supporting this hyper-local blog.)
