Municipal Workers Challenge

Thanks to all those who submitted an entry! I noted that there were many fewer entries for this challenge. Are we getting tired of challenges? Or did that one just not hit the spot? Let me know in the comments below: I could use the feedback! :)
 
I am going to start with my fav: Mario’s selfie. He’s a utility worker in NZ and took the time to explain a bit about his job, its challenges and rewards. Kuddos for putting yourself out there!  And speaking of selfies, here’s blipper Lolypop exercising her crossing guard duties.
 
Across the board (or is it the world?) there was wide appreciation for the services these folks provide and the challenge was an opportunity to turn our lenses to these often ‘unseen’ workers.
 
Some broad categories of municipal workers emerged.
 
Police officers:
a bobby in a crowd in London, a beautifully shot Garden police officer with his impeccable bike, police on horses in Sweden or on parade duty in England, a community officer in a casual chat.  Sometimes, a hint of the subject is enough to capture a whole story.  

Two shots stood out for me because they are just adorable: England’s current and future police men and women, and this b&w ‘interspecies’ law enforcement shot :)
 
Firefighters:
Saving a cat in England, hamming it up in Japan, getting ready for a parade in Pennsylvania (US), a statue and story to pay tribute to services rendered in Milwaukee (US).
 
Street cleaners:
There were several shots from across the world: Japan, China, England, Mexico, Ireland, Scotland.
 
Park service employees and city workers:
in the UK , when it’s too hot for uniforms, tending to a horseshow in Germany, showing the public face of National Parks in the US, watching over the wildlife in the Netherlands, working hard to fix the water system in blistering heat in Birmingham (UK), or digging in the streets in Kitchener (Canada).
 
And then there were these others:
Lifeguards in Scotland posing for a shot or springing into action in California, a berthing master in the Isle of Wight, Russell the postman in England.  And a final entry, which stretches the definition a bit but has such a great story with it!
 
Remarks collected by Michele (aka Alsacienne)

 
I am taking a break again from blogging next week as I’ll be on the road. Enjoy the next couple of weeks of summer/winter! See you in August J