High-Five Killjoys Hit Crossing Guard

11/03/2009 06:05
A COUNCIL has today defended its decision to ban a Deer Park North school crossing supervisor from high-fiving students and parents.

Lollipop man Charlie Cremona has welcomed the children of Deer Park North Primary School in Melbourne’s west for the past 18 years.

After standing in the sun, rain and wind twice daily for all those years, he was stunned when told recently he must stop “high-fiving” students and parents on his Hovell St crossing.

But Brimbank city development general manager Peter Collina today said the ban was in response to a parent’s complaint about “a number of concerns, including that of physical contact with the children”.

“Council has investigated the complaint and observed the supervisor’s behaviour and found that a number of his actions all potentially distracted him from his responsibility to keep the crossing safe,” Mr Collina said.

Mr Cremona said the friendly interaction with the community was one of the bonuses of the job, in which he helps 130 children over the crossing each day.

The grandfather-to-be estimated 80 per cent of his group would slap a quick high five along the way.

School principal Joe Vella said Mr Cremona was a “terrific” supervisor with “a heart of gold”.

Mr Vella said the ban on high fives took away the human element of the job.

“For what (crossing supervisors) put up with they probably deserve more respect,’’ Mr Vella said.

A Facebook group, ”Support Charlie the lollipop legend and bring back the high five”, has been set up to push the council to repeal its ban.

But Mr Collina said while high-fiving “may appear innocent enough, it should be limited to times when children are not being assisted to cross the road”.

“Council realises that establishing a rapport with the parents and children is important and encourages all school crossing supervisors to do so,’’ Mr Collina said in a statement today.

“However, the safety of the children is the primary purpose of Mr Cremona’s duties and it is vitally important that he gives his full attention to his duties, especially while children are on the crossing. Any distraction from his attention to all of the children on the crossing - and the traffic at or approaching the crossing - will potentially place the children at risk.”

Mr Cremona said he felt self-conscious and embarrassed as children were instructed not to slap hands any more.

“One little girl, a little three-year-old with her mother started crying when I told her I couldn’t high-five any more - she didn’t understand,” Mr Cremona said.

Grade 6 student Jessica was visibly upset and confused by the ban when the Leader visited last week.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with it, everyone used to give him high fives, he’s been doing it for ages,” she said.

Local mothers and former students Nicole Sierzputowksi and Beth Neville said the ban was “pathetic” and “stupid”.

Ms Neville said Mr Cremona’s friendly style encouraged the children to “do the right thing” and use the crossing safely.

“I’ve never seen it run so smoothly,” Ms Sierzputowksi said.

The pair are petitioning to “Bring back Mr Cremona’s high fives” and have 400 signatures so far.

Mr Collina said the council had received public responses both in favour of and against its ban.

SINC SAYS:

Why is it that one must apparently be a mental midget to be on a council?

SAT