Great Southern Police traffic OIC Derek Grimes recognises traffic wardens for years of service

Great Southern Police recognised the service and dedication of two traffic wardens at a morning tea and presentation held on April 4 at Albany Police Station.

Dawn Brines and Isobelle Oostdam were recognised for their long years on the crosswalks, building relationships with the community and helping keep children and parents safe on their commute to and from school.

Ms Oostdam has been a traffic warden in Albany for 21 years and will leave the job in the coming week. Ms Brines is also leaving after 6 years.

Great Southern Police traffic officer-in-charge Sgt Derek Grimes applauded the traffic wardens’ dedication, manning the city’s crosswalks twice daily, five days a week in sunshine or rain.

“It’s quite onerous when you look at it — they attend for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon every single day for the safety of our children getting to school,” he said.

Sgt Grimes thanked Ms Brines and Ms Oostdam for their years of service.

“We are sorry to lose them. They will move on to the next stage of their lives and be able to sit back and enjoy themselves,” he said.

Sgt Grimes said the relationship built between the wardens and the public over such a long period was invaluable.

“We ask the public to have that little bit of patience and understand that these crosswalks are attended and the traffic wardens are stopping people, so give them the courtesy and do the right thing,” he said.

Sgt Grimes said Great Southern Police were on the lookout for more traffic wardens in Albany.

“We need more people to put their hand up to be a warden and be trained by WA Police,” he said.

Traffic warden is a paid position and they are employed by WA Police.

Instructions for how to become a traffic warden are available on the WA Police website.