Standing Up and Standing Out

September 19, 2024
• The role of a crossing guard is often overlooked within a community. Not so for David Pinkham. The care and style in which he does his job has done much more than just stop traffic.

On the busy streets of Needham, crossing guards are an essential part of keeping children and other pedestrians safe. The town has many remarkable people filling that role, serving as more than just traffic enforcement. They are also ambassadors to the police department, and friendly faces to all who pass by. Some may fade into the background as residents go along their daily routine, but that is certainly not the case with David Pinkham. He brings a joy and energy to the position that is hard to match, and he has been recognized for that just recently. He is the 2024 recipient of the MassDOT’s Safe Routes to School Award. Municipal producer Yuxiao Yuan had a chance to spend some time with him recently, and see him in action.

This story ran as part of the Needham Channel News, a weekly newscast airing on The Needham Channel every Thursday at 7:30pm. The Needham Channel News can be found on the Community Channel: Comcast 9, Astound 15 and Verizon 29. Most Thursdays it also can be viewed on our HD Channel on Verizon 2129, Astound 613 and streaming on this site.