Community Corner
Street Duty Keeps Calling Verbeke Back
Lake Bluff native plays guitar, develops his interests and serves the community all in a day's work.
Although sitting and waiting is much of the job description for a Lake Bluff crossing guard, there are certain perks.
“If anything I don’t mind sitting and waiting for things,” said Kyle Verbeke, crossing guard at Green Bay Road and Route 176 in Lake Bluff for the last five summers. “It’s helped me with my patience.”
- See Related Story: Lake Bluff Provides Safe Crossing at Busy Intersection
Verbeke started the job after his parents, a nurse and Lake Forest police officer, helped him search for a summer job.
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“It’s not a lot of work and I make decent pay,” he said. “I’ll continue as long as I can.”
A sophomore at Columbia University, he returns to Lake Bluff, his lifelong hometown, every summer.
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During slow periods of his shifts, he spends time reading, drawing and brainstorming for writing and directing.
Verbeke also brings his guitar and plays classic rock at the intersection to pass the time. “It does get boring at times,” he said, “I try to find new things to do to pass the time.”
However, public safety is his first priority. This job “keeps me alert while I’m doing something else,” he said.
Verbeke said there have been close calls with cars screeching to a halt when he’s in the crosswalk.
Although he’s out on the corner alone, Verbeke has Lake Bluff residents and Mother Nature to keep him company. Not only is he out there in rain and hail, but he sometimes has to contend with the wildlife.
became familiar with Verbeke, he said.
“Basically it became familiar with me and would come closer,” he said. “I fed it crumbs. One time I pet its tail feathers, but it didn’t like that very much."
The turkey did cause Verbeke some trouble by attracting locals who blocked the crosswalk trying to get photos of the great gobbler. “People here are nice for the most part,” he said.
Verbeke’s years as a crossing guard have allowed him to watch the community evolve. “I’m really familiar with” Lake Bluff, he said. “I grew up here and watched it grow. It definitely has its own character.”
