North Reading Guard Kathy Anderson Stands Between Kids and Candy Store

They are miniature Usain Bolts, all sprinting to be the first to get the candy at Ryers. And standing in their way is North Reading crossing guard Kathy Anderson.

"They want to get over here and get this candy," said Anderson, sitting on the Ryers porch across from the Batchelder Elementary School. "On nice days, beautiful warm days, these kids are running, they're running across the field, they're running down the sidewalk to beat each other to see who can be the first at Ryers. It's been going on like that for years."

Anderson should know. Born in Winchester, she moved to North Reading when she was young, attending the old Maria J. Murphy Elementary School which is now the town hall, followed by the middle school and high school. She moved to Washington D.C with Peter, her husband of 31 years, and worked in the government for 14 years before returning to North Reading.

Anderson started as a town crossing guard five years ago.

"My father had medical problems and he always had to go to the doctors. So it worked out perfect that I could bring him in any time he needed to be there. And they're very flexible with my schedule. If I have to call in, I can call in. But other than that I love the job."

Anderson was first stationed next to the Union Congregational Church. Two years ago she was moved across from Batchelder. That means crossing Park Street, one of the busiest roads in North Reading. It didn't take her long to learn not all North Reading drivers are friendly.

"They're beeping their horn. They kind of drive, stop, drive, stop. They test me," said Anderson. "But I just tell them you don't move until that sign is down. People are in a rush. Or they're on their phone and not paying attention. That's the hard part. The afternoon is worse. People are in a rush. they want to get where they're going. They don't want to wait for busses to pull out. That's why I always cautiously tell the kids, just wait at the curb until I tell you you can cross."

She's not only well-versed in drivers, Anderson also knows the kids.

"Elementary kids are much easier than middle school," said Anderson, 56, and a mother of two. "The middle school kids will test you. They'll walk out in the street, they won't walk on the sidewalk. They don't realize that once that sign is up they have to stop until I say that they can cross where it's safe. Because people don't pay attention."

And if the children don't listen, Anderson always has her phone.

"My little trick is that I'll take my phone out and take a picture of them. I give them three strikes and then I go, 'well I'll have to talk to the principal now.' It seems to work."

Did someone pass that down to her?

"No, I thought of it myself. I was like, what can I do to prove that I'm not fooling around when I tell them. I know, I'll take a little click."

The drivers are another story but she can look at each of them and know what to expect. And sometimes that means the unexpected.

"There have been a few fender bumpers with kids who just start to drive and they don't pay attention. They're either on their phone or just not paying attention. Usually the sun's out and I see that the elderly can't see so I have to be cautious when I step out. I have to make sure everyone is stopping, especially on nice sunny days."

So she actually looks thru their windshield?

"Oh ya, and I can see that they're still driving straight. I've had a few close ones. If I have trouble with anyone I go to the station and they're really good about fixing any problem I have."

She's also not afraid of the weather.

"Pouring rain, snow ... But the kids have to cross and some of them have to walk home so I have to be there. Middle school kids love to walk in the rain."

It may just take seconds for the children to cross, but despite the brief encounters, Anderson gets to know the children she protects.

"I think the older they get, they're always waving to me, and notice me when I'm around town. They're pleasant and they'll turn out to be good kids."

For the record, North Reading takes its crossing guards seriously. Across from where Anderson stands is a granite tribute to Willis Croswell. It reads "In recognition of service to the community and her children." Croswell worked with a cigar in his mouth and a gun in his holster. He was a crossing guard for approximately 25 years and died around 1990 according to his nephew John. The marker was unveiled in the mid-1980s.

Anderson, the longest serving current guard, isn't interested in a marker just yet. For now, she'll settle for slowing the kids down on the way to the candy store.