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Letter to the editor

Gloves come off, and he is fired

Crossing guard Al Escott waved, smiled and watched kids. But he wouldn't wear those gloves. His fans are protesting his dismissal.

By MEGAN SCOTT
Published May 4, 2005

SAFETY HARBOR - For more than three years, Al Escott has stood on a downtown corner, escorting students across the street and greeting passers-by with a wave or a thumbs-up.

He has always worn the standard crossing guard uniform: an orange vest over a uniform shirt, an orange hat, green pants and a whistle around his neck. He even carried a reflective stop sign.

But Escott never wore the orange gloves.

His refusal to wear the required accessory caught up with him last week, when his supervisor recommended the Sheriff's Office fire him for insubordination.

He was officially terminated Tuesday.

Now this town of 17,000 is rallying behind the man they call "the friendly crossing guard." More than 1,200 people have signed a petition to get him reinstated. A few organized a rally Monday night to protest his dismissal.

And one resident has stood on a corner for a week holding a sign: "Our friendly crossing guard has been fired. Want him back? Sign a petition."

"Many people have a deep connection with him and miss him," said Dan Gerson, owner of the nearby Tech Cafe, who started the petition. "Here's a man who goes above and beyond the call of duty. Yet he's terminated for a technical violation."

Escott, who crossed students from Safety Harbor Elementary and Middle schools at Fifth Avenue and Main Street, said he had never worn the gloves because he did not like the style. He also maintains they hold no safety value.

"Number one, I thought they looked like a clown," he said. "I can see the value in the orange hat, orange vest and stop sign. I just couldn't see the point in it."

But the orange gloves are a requirement for Pinellas County crossing guards, said sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen.

While the state Department of Transportation requires crossing guards to wear orange gloves or carry a reflective stop sign, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office requires them to use both.

It's a policy that has been in place for at least 10 years, McMullen said.

"It's a visibility factor," he said. "It enhances the school crossing guard to direct traffic and move the children across the street safely."

The gloves, McMullen said, are not bulky. They are made of cotton. And crossing guards are only required to wear them when they are escorting kids across the street.

St. Petersburg crossing guard Joan Barrucci said she always wears the gloves. She was told they were mandatory when she went through training.

"They're hot sometimes, especially in warm weather," she said. "But not uncomfortable, other than being warm. They're wonderful in the winter when it's cold. I don't know what his problem is. That's part of the uniform."

Escott admits he had been reprimanded before for not wearing the gloves. But he never thought they would fire him, just decline to renew his contract at the end of the school year. He was informed April 26 that he faced termination if he didn't wear the gloves.

Even some city commissioners say it is absurd that guards can be fired for not wearing the gloves.

Mayor Pam Corbino, who signed the petition, said Monday she planned to speak with the Sheriff's Office.

And Vice Mayor Keith Zayac suggested that the commission send the Sheriff's Office a letter on Escott's behalf.

"He's really dedicated to this position," Zayac said. "This glove stuff is ridiculous. There has to be some way to compromise to get him back."

The only solution would have been for Escott to put on the orange gloves, McMullen said. And he refused.

"All he has to do is wear the gloves when crossing the children," McMullen said. "We have 197 crossing guards who comply with that. That standard is in place for the school crossing guard, the children and drivers so they can observe the crossing guards executing their duties."

That has been hard to prove to residents, none of whom even knew Escott's last name. But they knew his smile and wave, and that was more than enough.

"I don't actually know Al other than I see him every day when he is out there," said Stephen Kautz. "He's just one of the best guys I have seen as far as crossing guards. He smiles at everybody."

Escott, 67, worked for a printing company in Allentown, Pa., before moving to Florida in 1988. He started his own business making business cards but never really got it off the ground.

He became a crossing guard to make some extra money, earning $50 a day for the morning and afternoon shifts.

"To me, it's just a lot of fun," he said. "I never have a problem getting up in the morning and going. The mothers drive by, and they lower that back window and the kids in the car seat are waving. It's just a good job."

But one woman said Escott got what he deserved.

Patty Lee, who works at Main Street Hair downtown, said Escott wasn't friendly to her, and was a little cocky.

"He should have complied with the rules and regulations," said Lee. "And since he didn't, he got fired. It's okay with me."

Escott turned in his uniform on Friday and will search for another part-time job once summer is over.

He reiterated that he loved the job - just not enough to wear the gloves. He said he had to take a stand.

"The last thing I want to do is cause problems for the sheriff's department," he told the officer when he turned in his uniform. "You have enough problems on your own. I didn't ask them to do this."

The sign-waving protester, Karen Skiff, has made a new one saying "Honk if you want Al back." She said Escott fit in with downtown's Mayberry image, and that many children are upset that he is gone.

"Everybody wants him back," she said. "They respected him. He made our community safe, gloves or no gloves."

Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 4, 2005, 00:58:13]