PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Bill Boudrow mans the crosswalk at the Callahan School despite being struck four times by automobiles.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — Crossing guard Bill Boudrow has been the victim of four hit-and-run car accidents, but said it keeps his job exciting.
“My wife says there’s not going to be a fifth time,” he said. “I love doing it. I have the best kids. It’s a hazardous job but it’s a great job.”
Boudrow crosses students on O’Callaghan Way from the Julia F. Callahan Elementary School, Breed Middle School, and Lynn Classical High School.
He said as many as 400 people wave and say hello every morning. The children leave school with stories to tell him about their day. He enjoys the sense of friendship and community he gets from the people he serves daily, he said.
But, not everyone treats him well.
“The first time I got hit, she kept going,” he said. “A few parents pulled her out of the car down the street. The girl had seven-and-half pages of bad driving history.”
Over seven years on the job, he was hit three more times. None of the drivers stopped to see if he was ok, he said.
“People are crazy,” he said. “They don’t care. Nobody cares anymore.”
Just last week, an old Chevy Blazer sped down O’Callaghan Way, straight for Boudrow in the crosswalk, he said. If he hadn’t moved, he would have been run over.
Boudrow said traffic is backed up from Boston Street to Walnut Street each morning. Drivers use O’Callaghan Way as a shortcut to Route One, and there are three schools within a short distance, which he believes are contributing factors.
City Councilor Jay Walsh recently helped get the flashing school zone sign fixed, which had been broken since 2009. He also lobbied for new crossing signs, Boudrow said.
“I’d like to see a police presence up here,” Boudrow said. “Even a car with it’s lights on would slow the drivers down.”
Still, Boudrow said the children make the hazards of the job worth it.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte
