I have seen something, so I am going to say something.
On Thursday, January 15, at approximately 11:20 a.m., I witnessed the blue flashing lights of a Stockbridge Police car near the crosswalk of Main and Elm streets. I immediately thought, “What is wrong?”
Instead, I was shown what is right.
Officer Brandon Messina was on the scene to ensure a line of preschoolers made it safely across the street. According to Stockbridge Youth Librarian Rachel Nicholson, the crossing guard support started over a year after Sergeant Kirk Nichols reached out to see if it would be helpful. When asked what it means to have the weekly crossing assistance, Rachel shared,
Any time you are out with preschoolers, anything can happen; kids have a lot of energy. Teachers do an amazing job, but having the officers there gives a little bit of added safety.
And it’s such a sweet thing to see—this community centered care for each other.
When asked why he reached out to the library, Sergeant Nichols explained:
Sergeant Louis Peyron conducted traffic duty when our current Town Offices were a school. He made sure our town’s children safely crossed the street each morning and afternoon.
We decided to honor his legacy by manning the crosswalk for the children of the St. Paul’s and Austen Riggs Preschools when they go to the Stockbridge Library. This traffic post allows our department and our community to hold fast to our traditions, and the things that have made this town so special for so many years while the world evolves around us.
I saw flashing lights and immediately assumed the worst; I am so glad I was wrong.
What I saw was something sweet and kind. So I am saying something:
Thank you.
