This Torontonian is one of Canada’s favourite crossing guards

Of the 126 nominated crossing guards, Kevin Enriquez is one of only three winners from across Canada - and the only one in Ontario. Sean Leathong reports.

His place is at Bedford Road and Lowther Avenue in downtown Toronto, just steps from two public schools. This is where crossing guard Khevin Enriquez proudly navigates safety with charm.

A combination of duty and charisma, he has been named one of Canada’s favourite crossing guards.

“This work is great. I always love bringing safety and security to kids,” says Enriquez.

He explains that he tries to connect with every person he meets while helping them cross the road.

“The connection is always different,” he says, adding, “I respect either way if people just need to get from point A to point B.”

Having only been working at it for a year, Enriquez has made such an impression that parents from both Huron Public School and Jesse Ketchum Public School nominated him for the Canada’s favourite crossing guard contest.

Parent Jonnalyn Rosal says her kids are always excited to see Enriquez in the mornings.

“Even if it’s on a rainy day, he’ll go out of his way to kind of make you smile like a rainbow in the rain,” Rosal says.

Of the 126 nominated crossing guards, Enriquez is one of only three winners from across Canada—and the only one in Ontario. The other two are in Quebec and British Columbia.

Former Toronto police traffic officer Sean Shapiro attended a ceremony for Enriquez and called him a “friendly representation of what you’re supposed to do.”

“He’s the indicator for drivers to do the right thing, even though they probably don’t have any engagement with him other than seeing a stop sign. But for those kids, he’s a leader. He’s teaching them how to navigate those crossings safely every single day,” Shapiro says.

Canada’s favourite crossing guard has been awarded since 2005 by the charity “Parachute” to highlight those who keep kids safe with a smile.

On its website, the charity states Enriquez’s professionalism and warmth make a “remarkable difference.”

“Even with heavy traffic and ongoing construction, he remains calm, friendly and attentive. He greets everyone with genuine kindness and ensures children, parents and pedestrians feel safe and cared for. He lifts people’s spirits, and teaches the children about safety in engaging, memorable ways,” Parachute wrote on a post honouring Enriquez and the two other winners.

“When kids are happy crossing the streets, it kind of like starts their day off in schools as well. It’s like a domino effect,” Enriquez says.

During one of the coldest days of the year, Enriquez tried to spread a little warmth, saying, “I really want to get them kind of like being noticed and not feel left out.