Controversy

Toronto’s Dancing Crossing Guard Suspended Without Pay for, Well, Dancing

Have you seen this video from Born Ruffians featuring Kathleen Byers?

Kathleen is a real person who has been helping kids across the street in west end Toronto in this manner for nigh on a decade. But when Toronto police heard that she like to dance while she worked, she was issued a warning. She ignored them because–well, hey, sometimes you just gotta dance.  And the people in the neighbourhood really liked her style.

Now she’s been suspended without pay because she had worn her uniform for “a purpose other than prescribed in Toronto Police Services rules and procedures.”  Geez, you’d think she’d been poll dancing or something.

The full story at The National Post–and here’s a report from Global News.

 

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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2 thoughts on “Toronto’s Dancing Crossing Guard Suspended Without Pay for, Well, Dancing

  • Streisand effect in 3, 2. 1 …

    Reply
  • But you don’t understand…she might just inspire some kid to be creative, have a productive day, get a little exercise on the way to school. She might actually make someone smile, join in for God’s sake! We can’t have that now, can we? It would be CHAOS! Everyone must conform. Everyone must be the same, march in lockstep, like good little mindless drones. By the way, if I didn’t make it clear, I think she’s pretty damn cool!

    Reply

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