Alvin Findlay: A super senior warden

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Automotives continues its series on those who literally hold the road safety of pedestrians, especially students, in their hands. They are the traffic wardens.

Alvin Findlay is well-known by motorists who regularly ply South Camp Road, Kingston, in the vicinity of Sabina Park, Alpha Primary and the Convent of Mercy (Alpha) Academy.

He is a no-nonsense, feisty, but efficient and methodical traffic warden, the sheriff of the road who provides safe passage for students using the pedestrian crossing.

Last Wednesday afternoon, attired in his long, white coat, slippers and hat, equipped with a whistle and hand-held sign, Findlay earnestly instructed small children to gather at the pedestrian crossing.

Instructing motorists to stop and, occasionally, reprimanding those failing to obey his command, Findlay got the students briskly across the road and safely to the other side.

Despite being a little over 80 years old, Findlay is very sprightly, and it does not appear he will be slowing down anytime soon.

"I worked for the government before, but since I retire from that I have been in this position. I retired in 1993. I am a big man now, an elderly man," said Findlay, who has been traffic warden at the location for the last 16 years said.

Findlay explained that his interaction with children provides the most fun on the job. He said there are times when he gets gifts from motorists, who praise him for a job well done.

"The children are alright, you know. You know how pickney go already. Sometimes you have to rough them up but, otherwise, the job is okay, it's pretty alright. Some motorists are nice. They give me thanks and some of them give me a little drink, or a thing to buy a drink or whatever I would like. You would not expect to get from everybody," he explained.

As with other crossing guards, Findlay lamented the disobedience of some motorists.

A female vendor, who sells in front Alpha Primary, praised Findlay for his dedication to students.

"He is a very good man. Best crossing man. Nobody cares about the kids like he does," said Natalie.