79th and Amsterdam (Google Maps)
An Upper West Side crossing guard who has been accused of anti-Semitism was pulled from her job after she crossed the wrong people, according to news reports.
Rabbi Erica Gerson, a neighborhood parent, was using the crosswalk at 79th Street and Amsterdam Avenue with her daughter on January 13. ”It was pick-up time and I was crossing as I always do with my nine-year-old. I overheard [the guard] describing one group of kids as ‘those Jewish kids,’ and I thought that was strange,” said Gerson, according to ABC News.
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Gerson says the guard then called her and her daughter “nasty people” and remarked, “Now we know why there’s no peace in the Middle East.” She says the comments were “completely unprovoked,” according to the NY Post.
Gerson filed a police report immediately, according to ABC, and after doing so, learned of three similar incidents.
In addition, Gerson said, the crossing guard was often derelict in her duties, and would often be sitting on benches and eating or talking on the phone instead of working.
After hearing reports of these comments in a community meeting, Dale Brown, president of the West 79th Street Block Association, discussed removing the guard with NYPD Captain Neil Zuber, commanding officer of the 20th Precinct. Upper West Side Councilwoman Gale Brewer contacted the crossing guards union in order to make that happen, and the guard was removed from her post on February 4. It is not clear what her current work status is, according to the Post. NYPD Sgt. Edward Riley told the paper that “the disciplinary process is ongoing.” Brown says that Capt. Zuber has had a meeting with the union.
Brown says a new crossing guard has been reassigned at the intersection: “We have a wonderful crossing guard now. He protects everyone in the crosswalks and is very friendly and kind. We are delighted—the children and anyone walking in the West 79th Street cross walk at Amsterdam are all protected.”
“An Upper West Side crossing guard who has been accused of anti-Semitism was pulled from her job after she crossed the wrong people, according to news reports”
It’s probably unintended but this article’s phrase “she crossed the wrong people” sounds a little too close in spirit to the crossing guard’s own words about “those Jewish kids”
Please consider rewriting that opening sentence.
Wow! I’ve published many articles on Jewish issues, some on antisemitism, a few on Holocaust-related issues. This strained reaction to the headline is way over the top. How about focusing on all the BLATANT antisemitism in our culture, including that of the former crossing guard?
Sorry, not the headline; the first sentence of the news story.
Bob, I believe “Huh” actually IS responding to what he/she fears will feed into more antisemitism. Saying that the crossing guard “crossed the wrong people” sounds like a reference to some kind of all-powerful and vengeful group. As opposed to what it really was: a neighborhood parent who, after the crossing guard verbally abused her and her daughter, called the authorities. As well she should have.
As a Jewish person, I agree with HUH. It’s giving “Jews control the world” vibes. Your own reaction seems a little weird Bob…not all antisemitism need to be blatant to be called out.
I came across that crossing guard a few weeks ago and she struck me as clearly mentally ill or unstable. She was ranting at me and a fellow pedestrian as we were getting ready to cross the street. Her behavior was so erratic that I even wondered if she happened to come upon a crossing guard uniform and was wearing it just because. She was obviously unwell and unfit for the job. How was she hired in the first place? Is she getting appropriate help now?
That is a very loving way to respond. I hope she is getting help.
I remember seeing this crossing guard towards the end of December when we were in the city! She was ranting at a woman and her child and definitely seemed unstable.
apparently lives on w84th and is a nightmare to her neighbors as well-alcoholic
This is unverified (i.e., third person) gossip, and is not an appropriate comment.
As stated in a previous comment, this wording is horrible:
“An Upper West Side crossing guard who has been accused of anti-Semitism was pulled from her job after she crossed the wrong people …”
It’s a cute pun, but many will read it to mean, are Jews the wrong people? Rabbis the wrong people? Please rewrite.
Crossed the wrong people? A rabbi? Jews?
I agree, the pun isn’t worth the unintended (hopefully) connotation.