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Over the past few years, Kathleen Byers has become known as the dancing crossing guard at the Dufferin Street crosswalk near Grove Community Public School. On Wednesday, Toronto police told the 64-year-old to stop dancing on the job because it creates a public safety hazard and puts pedestrians’ lives at risk. Robin Grant visited Ms. Byers on Friday on the job, as she helped children cross safely and kept her boogeying to the sidewalk.

Q What’s happening here? You are getting in trouble for dancing on the job?

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Byers I just basically heard on Wednesday morning … that I shouldn’t bring my music, dance or dance with music. When asked if I could just exercise – no, can’t even do that. When I talked to the sergeant [at 14 Division], she said: ‘Well, you know, there have been a lot of pedestrian accidents… and on that note we feel you are a distraction and your dancing is risking the lives of children here because dancing would encourage or make a driver hit one of the kids.’ I was never told that I was doing anything wrong in 10 years. No one ever said anything.

Q Have you ever had any problems?

Byers Never! Not in 10 years, no.

Q What’s your interpretation of what’s happening?

Byers I really don’t know … first of all it was the music and dancing and then it was risky behavior. I was never told that. In fact, I was featured [in September] in a Toronto Police Service safety video — starring me — doing the crossing, as I do it dancing. So if I was honoured to be doing safety — for all crossing guards — why now am I all of a sudden being targeted? I’m not really sure why.

Q How are you going to do your job from now on?

Byers I’m doing it by the book.

Q Did you ever consider leaving the job?

Byers No, no! I love it. It’s such a joy to be working in your own community with people you know.