Complaints from residents over the censure of a Dunwoody Elementary School crossing guard named Larry sparked a social media protest over the weekend.

It all started with a Friday afternoon post on the Dunwoody Police Department Facebook page. A local resident posted this comment:

"Upset that our crossing guard at Dunwoody Elementary has been stopped directing traffic outside the school. He actually makes traffic run smoother and helps the morning commute! Sorry Dunwoody Police, this is a fail on your part for caving to complaints and stopping this!"

Less than one hour later, came this comment:

"Due to citizen complaints about our crossing guard at Dunwoody Elementary stopping Womack Road traffic to let our carpool parents exit, our guard has been asked to refrain from directing traffic. This change will cause our carpool line to back-up on Womack as cars will be unable to exit the Dunwoody Elementary parking lot. This is a devastating change to our process which has gone so smoothly this year."

Then came the cascade:

"Please let the Dunwoody Elementary School crossing guard help traffic flow out onto Womack! The faster we can all turn left to get home, the faster we can get off the street! The citizens who are complaining should not use Womack during carpool time!! And leave their homes earlier!"

"Dunwoody PD, please reconsider the decision to stop the crossing guard at Dunwoody Elementary from directing traffic. Rather than cars waiting mere seconds as he directed traffic at our intersection, now cars will be backed up much further on Womack and Vermack due to the congestion caused by cars not efficiently exiting the Elementary School lot. The difference the crossing guard has made by directing traffic has been remarkable. Now traveling Womack will be a true nightmare. This is not what is best for a smooth flow of traffic. This will be counter-productive."

Late Sunday afternoon came this surrender from the Dunwoody Police Department:

We have spoken to the supervisor of the DES Crossing Guard and he will once again be directing traffic as he normally does on Monday morning.

A total of 35 comments came from gratified parents. Here's just a sampling:

Great job parents, concerned citizens and police to restore this much needed safety employee! Yea! Larry!

Fantastic news! There is nothing more important than the safety of our kids. Please remember to respect larry and his position too.

Great! Thank you Dunwoody Police. Larry really makes a big difference in Carpool. Also is a big difference concerning the kids safety!!!!

good, things run my smoothly with his direction.

So glad to hear this! I was worried about the safety of the children, too and the decision to keep Larry there to keep things running smoothly puts my concerns to rest. Thank you!

See Also:

School Crossing Guards Honored by Gov. Deal

School Crossing Guard Saves Child From Serious Injury