"Leland Pon, the 67-year-old crossing guard at the San Francisco Community School in the Excelsior, knows what he likes: Pineapple buns. The chow fun at Hong Kong Claypot at Grant Avenue and Jackson Street. Buying fresh produce in Chinatown on the weekend. Having 7 a.m. coffee and a bagel that he buys from Safeway. Watching Jimmy Kimmel on tape because his wife won't let him stay up late."
"Now, wearing a neon-green hat and vest with a stop sign in hand, Pon stands at the intersection of Excelsior Avenue and Paris Street twice a day, watching kids and directing traffic during his two-and-a-half-hour workday: 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. during drop-off and 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. during pick-up."
"Compared to his previous tenure, this job is much easier. Ill-tempered parents yell things like "Why are you not on this side of the street?" sometimes, but that's nothing compared to being chased after giving out tickets in his last job. His neck sometimes hurts from turning to watch for cars from all directions, and some still blow through stop signs from time to time."
Leland Pon is a 67-year-old crossing guard at San Francisco Community School in the Excelsior. He retired two years ago after 32 years issuing traffic tickets at the SFMTA and began the crossing-guard job at his wife's suggestion. He works two daily shifts totaling two-and-a-half hours, guiding students and directing traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. He recognizes faces more than names and receives snacks from parents. The job is easier than his previous role, though some parents can be ill-tempered and drivers sometimes run stop signs; his neck occasionally hurts from watching all directions. He enjoys simple routines, local foods, weekend produce shopping, and morning coffee.
Read at Mission Local
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