City Crossing Guard Named Canada's Favourite

City of St. John’s employee Wilf Hunt was named one of four Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guards today during a ceremony at Roncalli Elementary School.
 
“We have always known that the City of St. John’s has some of the most dedicated crossing guards in the country and it is wonderful to see one of our finest honoured,” says Ward 4 Councillor Bernard Davis, Chair of the Community Services and Housing Standing Committee. “Wilf is an extraordinary crossing guard and takes great pride in being a positive role model and a leader within the school community when it comes to school zone safety.”
 
Roncalli Elementary School nominated him in the FedEx Express Canada and Parachute sponsored contest “Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard”, which raises awareness of the important role crossing guards play in preventing traffic injuries, increasing motorist awareness about school zone safety, making school zones more 'walkable', and teaching children pedestrian safety tips. This contest encouraged schools, students, teachers and parents from across Canada to nominate exceptional crossing guards in their community.
  
“Wilf has always gone above and beyond to ensure the safety of every child he watches over and we agree wholeheartedly with Roncalli’s staff, students and parents that he is very deserving of this national award,” says Mayor Dennis O’Keefe.
 
This is the second time a City of St. John’s crossing guard was selected for this award as Lisa Penney won in 2007. Wilf is one of 12 dedicated crossing guards currently employed by the City of St. John’s.
 
Crossing Guards play an important role at local schools and their mandate includes:

• Assist young pedestrians across the street to ensure a safe and control crossing environment.
• Teach and reinforce safe crossing habits to pedestrians and motorists and discourage pedestrians from performing unsafe crossing practices.
• Observe and report incidents and or conditions that may be hazardous to pedestrians using the crosswalk. 

The City extends its congratulations to Crossing Guard Hunt on his national award.
 
 
For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 570-2037
Cell: (709) 690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca
 
Dennis O’Keefe
Mayor
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 576-8477
E-mail: dokeefe@stjohns.ca
 
Bernard Davis
Ward 4 Councillor
Chair, Community Services and Housing Standing Committee
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 576-8217
E-mail: bdavis@stjohns.ca