Editor – Two weeks ago, I set off to pick up my child from Ladysmith High School (LHS) as I do every day.
This day was a little different though. I travelled up Francis Road, reached the intersection and indicated to turn right towards the school. However, before I even reached the traffic lights, I could tell there was something very different going on today.
Two Public Safety officers were blocking the road and refused to let vehicles turn towards the school.
I turned left instead and joined the cars already pulled over, waiting for the road to clear.
I got out of the car and walked towards the robot, where a bunch of people had already gathered.
It turned out there was a bomb scare at the school and until the area was cleared, no vehicles were allowed to enter the road.While talking to fellow parents, I noticed the Public Safety officer diverting traffic.
I watched her for a while as she tried to explain to people the same story, car after car after car.
Some people accepted the situation and joined us to wait it out, while others weren’t that accepting.
Some got out of their cars and hurled insults at the officer, while one man actually parked, pulled his young son out of the car and started walking in the high school’s direction.
Despite the officer trying to explain to the man that he was not even allowed to walk that way, he simply insulted her and walked anyway.
Some more primary school children arrived and the man called them to join him to spite the officer.
She managed to persuade the children not to follow the man. I just feel this is horrendous. Yes, we were all concerned for the safety of our children – we had to be so far away to stay safe while our children were in a blast zone.
But the way people insulted this Public Safety officer really offended me!
Do we have no respect for authority figures? She was just following an instruction she received from her superiors; there was no reason for people to get verbally abusive towards her!
The story does have a somewhat happy ending.
Minutes after the man started walking, the road was opened. He had to turn around, walk all the way back to his car and wait at a very congested intersection.
Serves him right, instant karma indeed!
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