By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
A 46-year-old Belizean brought "A Chorus Line" to the Brooklyn Bridge with his rhythmic swagger that he says is an attempt to bring cheer to weary drivers and change the overall image of New Yorkers.
NYPD traffic cop, Wilbert Castillo danced into the hearts of New York City travelers after he was reassigned to the intersection of Old Fulton Street and Hicks Street from Canal Street and Hudson over a year ago when officials saw traffic backing up badly.
His swagger and flow are timed to the changing traffic lights, and Castillo credits his moves to his days of playing music and punta rock, a dance style or rhythm common amongst the Garifuna people of Belize.
Castillo has kept vehicle and pedestrian traffic headed towards the BQE Expressway flowing como suavecito as his dance moves, which the 10-year veteran and married father of three says he honed while dancing in the mirror and for his wife.
"I keep people safe. That's my job, but pedestrians and tourists love to come up to me. I want to change the image of New Yorkers so people know we're approachable," Castillo told The New York Post.
Justin Thomas of Sheepshead Bay has seen Castillo in action and wanted to make him the next YouTube sensation.
"I told my girlfriend to put him on YouTube," said 23-year-old Thomas.
Castillo's temporal demeanor places traffic officers in a much better light since City Councilman Daniel Halloran caught traffic cop Daniel Chu illegally racing through town, while chatting on his cell phone and using his flashing red lights,...to buy coffee!
Chu was reprimanded, placed on foot patrol and was required to undergo retraining at the Police Academy.
To see a traffic cop smiling, dancing, interacting with pedestrians and commuters as he sways and poses for pictures is a much welcomed change New York motorists have definitely taken notice of.
On any given day, you will find tourists and locals alike stopping their vehicles in order to snap a photo of the dancing traffic cop whose goal is safety and efficiency while putting a smile on your face.
"If they're sad or worn out and I make them smile, I've done my job. I'm a happy man," said Castillo, "and I want to sell New York."
The Black Urban Times
A 46-year-old Belizean brought "A Chorus Line" to the Brooklyn Bridge with his rhythmic swagger that he says is an attempt to bring cheer to weary drivers and change the overall image of New Yorkers.
NYPD traffic cop, Wilbert Castillo danced into the hearts of New York City travelers after he was reassigned to the intersection of Old Fulton Street and Hicks Street from Canal Street and Hudson over a year ago when officials saw traffic backing up badly.
His swagger and flow are timed to the changing traffic lights, and Castillo credits his moves to his days of playing music and punta rock, a dance style or rhythm common amongst the Garifuna people of Belize.
Castillo has kept vehicle and pedestrian traffic headed towards the BQE Expressway flowing como suavecito as his dance moves, which the 10-year veteran and married father of three says he honed while dancing in the mirror and for his wife.
"I keep people safe. That's my job, but pedestrians and tourists love to come up to me. I want to change the image of New Yorkers so people know we're approachable," Castillo told The New York Post.
Justin Thomas of Sheepshead Bay has seen Castillo in action and wanted to make him the next YouTube sensation.
"I told my girlfriend to put him on YouTube," said 23-year-old Thomas.
Castillo's temporal demeanor places traffic officers in a much better light since City Councilman Daniel Halloran caught traffic cop Daniel Chu illegally racing through town, while chatting on his cell phone and using his flashing red lights,...to buy coffee!
Chu was reprimanded, placed on foot patrol and was required to undergo retraining at the Police Academy.
To see a traffic cop smiling, dancing, interacting with pedestrians and commuters as he sways and poses for pictures is a much welcomed change New York motorists have definitely taken notice of.
On any given day, you will find tourists and locals alike stopping their vehicles in order to snap a photo of the dancing traffic cop whose goal is safety and efficiency while putting a smile on your face.
"If they're sad or worn out and I make them smile, I've done my job. I'm a happy man," said Castillo, "and I want to sell New York."
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