Beloved Cambridge Crossing Guard's Stolen Bike Replaced By Community Within 24 Hours

CAMBRIDGE, MA - When a popular crossing guard at a dangerous Cambridge intersection had his bike stolen recently, the Cambridge community raised the money to replace it in less than 24 hours.

Bill Mitchell, a life-long Cambridge resident, takes exceptional care in guiding every single pedestrian through a busy intersection at Broadway and Prospect street safely and with his signature departing line: "Be good," according to Tassia Thomas, a grateful pedestrian.

"Bill is a hero because every single day, whether it's raining, sleeting or burning hot, he greets everyone, (and I mean everyone-from a small child in a stroller to homeless people) who crosses that intersection with a smile and a safe passage. For real," said Thomas.

Mitchell was so focused on his job he didn't notice his bike had been stolen until his shift was over, Thomas said.

With Mitchell's permission, Thomas set up a Go Fund Me page and the community responded. In it she wrote, "Bill is a life-long Cambridge resident. He graduated from Rindge and Latin. He brought up children here. He's a proud US serviceman. He's a stand up man, and he works hard at his job. But he also works hard to GET to his job. He needs a new bike, and he needs it soon. He also deserves a bike that can accommodate his physical needs.

"Heroes inspire others to do better. Let's all right a wrong in our community. Please consider donating even a few dollars for a new bike, helmet and lock for Bill. Bill is too humble to ask us himself, but I did seek his permission to ask on his behalf."

In 22 hours $500 had been raised and the money was set to replace Mitchell's bike.

"I'm so impressed that we were able to raise this amount in one day," Thomas wrote. "I've closed donations and will deliver the funds to Bill on Monday so he can get his bike as soon as possible. You are all so kind. Bill always parts ways by telling us to 'be good.' Today we all were."