By Michael V. Cusenza
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) on Friday held a special breakfast honoring all the crossing guards in his district—those assigned to the 102nd, 104th, 106th, and 112th Precincts—at Villa Russo in South Richmond Hill.
There were about 200 crossing guards in attendance and some officers from the respective precincts, including Capt. Pratima Maldonado, commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct.
The crossing guards in attendance were male and female, all different ages and cultures, and had served varying amounts times on the job—the longest being 37 years. Each crossing guard received a certificate of recognition from Addabbo and a silver metal bookmark with an inspirational saying engraved on it.
“Our crossing guards are the unsung heroes who keep our children safe every day,” Addabbo said. “Today, we honor their dedicated service and reaffirm our commitment to a community where safety and care go hand in hand. Their bravery and kindness inspire us all to build a safer, more compassionate neighborhood.”
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
Sen. Addabbo presents a certificate of recognition to a crossing guard.
School crossing guards shepherd school children walking across busy intersections on their way to school. They oversee and control traffic flow around schools in the morning, at lunch time, and at the end of the school day.
The dangers of the job are not lost on the Woodhaven community. Beloved crossing guard Krystyna Naprawa, 63, was struck and killed in the line of duty by a dump truck at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard in October 2023.
