‘They Gave Me A Life’: Wallingford Crossing Guard Glad To Be Back

WALLINGFORD, CT — While the start of the school year has been anything but normal, Jim Snedeker was back this week at his familiar spot on Pond Hill Road outside Dag Hammarskjold Middle School in Wallingford.

Snedeker is a bit of a local celebrity, known as “The Crossing Guard” and some have even called him “the next mayor of Wallingford.” He is the crossing guard who waves to every car that drives by Dag in the morning and afternoon on school days.

After what he called the “longest hot summer” of his life, Snedeker was back at his post for the first time since March 13. One thing is for sure, he’s glad to be back.

“Oh yeah, definitely,” Snedeker said with a wide smile. “Couldn’t ask for a better job.”

Snedeker, 73, said he had no concerns about coming back amid the coronavirus pandemic. Snedeker told his doctor of his plans two weeks ago and said as long as he follows the CDC’s recommended policy, he’ll be fine.

“I’m glad it’s open and I’m relying on whoever to make sure it’s safe for the kids,” Snedeker said of the reopening of schools. “On the other hand, I respect the parents that are keeping their kids home or homeschooling. Whatever parents think is safe for their kids, you gotta go with it.”

“They gave me a life”

Talking to Snedeker, it’s abundantly clear how much he loves his job and how much he missed it during the pandemic. He started in 2016 and it’s been a life-changing experience for him.

“I’m a widower and up until I got this job, I just sat home and did nothing,” Snedeker said. “They gave me a life.”

Snedeker said there are five days out of the year that were special to his wife. So, when there’s anybody new in his life, he sends a flower arrangement with one geranium – her favorite flower. He includes a letter explaining what the geranium is for.

In his first year at Dag, Snedeker sent it to the staff and teachers.

“One teacher came up and said, ‘you had the whole school crying’,” he said.

“They become part of your life”

From his spot on Pond Hill Road, outside Dag and between E.C. Stevens School and Lyman Hall High School, Snedeker comes into contact with kids and parents from all the nearby schools. It starts at Stevens, a K-2 school, then after they go to nearby Pond Hill Elementary School for grades 3-5, they return for Dag and Lyman Hall.

“You couldn’t ask for better parents and better kids,” Snedeker said. “The kids are respectful, they’re funny, and they’re kind. And that goes to the parents. I don’t have a bad kid, they’re all terrific.”

Snedeker said he’s terrible with names, so he’ll come up with nicknames for the kids.

“I really enjoy the kids and I kid around with them,” he said. “They get my humor… I enjoy this. I really, really do.”

Snedeker also said the neighborhood is “terrific” and since he develops a bond with the people he sees every day, he gets nervous when they don’t come around anymore. He said there was an older woman who would go walking every day and if she saw a piece of paper on the ground, she’d pick it up and stuff it in her pocket. Eventually, she stopped coming.

Snedeker caught up with her one day in the center of town and found out that she had fallen and broke her leg.

“But I was worried about her,” he said. “You keep up on these people. They become part of your life.”