ROCHESTER, NY, JUNE 26, 2008 - AAA Western and Central New York recognized adult school crossing guards at their annual Crossing Guard Recognition Breakfast held today at the Italian American Community Center in Rochester.
More than 125 Rochester area crossing guards were honored for their dedication and service in safeguarding the lives of children walking to and from school. Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks addressed the crossing guards, their coordinators, and local political and law enforcement leaders
AAA dedicated the breakfast to Arlene Page, a Rochester crossing guard who lost her life during a hit-and-run accident while on duty last fall. Special recognition was also given to Ann Boden for her 40 years of service as a crossing guard in the Town of Irondequoit.
AAA also presented awards to the Village of Brockport, Town of Irondequoit, and their respective police departments for their success in AAA’s Community Traffic Safety Program, an awards and recognition program for communities of all sizes nationwide that identify and address their local traffic safety issues. The awards progress from Honorable Mention to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and to the highest level, Platinum.
The Village of Brockport and the Town of Irondequoit received Gold Awards, given to communities that implement programs that demonstrate superior effort at addressing local traffic safety issues. The program also considers basic crash statistics, presence of a traffic safety leadership group, projects, and their effectiveness.
“We are pleased to recognize the great efforts of communities that strive to advance the cause of traffic safety,” said Wally Smith, Vice President of AAA Western and Central New York. “We are especially grateful to the unsung heroes of the school year – adult school crossing guards – who help our children to and from school safely, every day, rain or shine.”
The Village of Brockport demonstrated success with programs addressing bicycle and pedestrian safety, drug and alcohol-impaired driving, underage drinking and driving, senior driver safety, occupant protection, and speeding.
The Town of Irondequoit demonstrated success with programs addressing pedestrian, school bus, school zone and bicycle safety, teen driver safety, speed and aggressive driving, occupant protection, and impaired driving.
In New York State, top Platinum Honors were awarded to only four communities: Camillus, Ellenville, Garden City and White Plains. Platinum winners not only demonstrate outstanding success in addressing local traffic safety issues, but show a clear trend of improvement over five years and/or provide data that is substantially better than the statewide data for communities of similar size.
As Upstate New York’s largest motoring and travel organization, AAA provides its 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited at www.AAA.com.
Caption (L to R): Town of Irondequoit School Crossing Guard, Ann Boden, is congratulated by Irondequoit Crossing Guard Supervisor, Doug Averill, and Monroe County Executive, Maggie Brooks, for her 40 years of service at AAA’s annual Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Breakfast in Rochester.
