A Toronto crossing guard who became famous for her dance moves is hanging up her stop sign and vest for good.
Kathleen Byers has been working as a crossing guard in a west-end Toronto neighbourhood for 10 years. For about four of those years she would dance while working, thrilling kids, motorists and passersby.
But late last year police asked her to stop dancing, because they said it was a distraction. Then last week, she was suspended a second time after appearing in a music video wearing her police-issued gear.
Byers had broken police rules because the items are police property.
The 65-year-old told CTV Toronto that she decided to quit because the situation had become too stressful.
"I wanted to leave on a high note. I didn't want it to drag on and become something that I was fighting instead of being joyful," she said.
"I felt stressed and I made the decision. My mom walked with me, we went over to 14 Division and I walked in and said I was quitting."
Many of the area's residents say they will miss her presence.
"It made your day, made you smile every time she passed through," one resident said.
One young student said she appreciated that Byers always had such joy in her work.
Byers promises she'll continue to be an integral part of the community even though she's no longer working as a crossing guard. She also says she has no plans to stop dancing.
With a report by CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness
