Krystyna Naprawa (1960-2023) served for 13 years as a crossing guard before she died in the line of duty while directing traffic near PS 60.

Born in Poland on September 28, 1960, Naprawa moved to New York City in the 1980s. She made a new home in Howard Beach. She loved to garden, cook, and bake. She became a crossing guard in 2010, where she enjoyed greeting school children and locals each day.

On the morning of October 20, 2023, Naprawa was posted at her regular location, the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. At about 8 a.m., after helping a group of pedestrians cross the street, she was in the crosswalk when she was struck and killed by the driver of a dump truck who was making a right turn. Naprawa was 63 years old.

The driver stayed at the scene and was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian.

Naprawa had previously been struck by a driver while on the job, but she went back to work the same day.

At the time of her passing, she still lived in Howard Beach, along with her daughter and son-in-law. Her son, Tomasz Naprawa, has served as a Port Authority Police Officer for more than 15 years.

Following the crash, the city instituted several new safety measures meant to prevent similar deaths, including giving crossing guards new reflective vests, whistles, and 18-inch “stop” signs with six-foot telescopic, detachable poles for use at larger intersections and along truck routes. Additionally, the Department of Transportation installed a right turn signal at the intersection where Naprawa was killed. The NYPD also added another crossing guard to the post.

The state legislature also passed legislation in her honor to ensure all crossing guards are enrolled in the Board of Education Retirement System pension plan.

In February 2024, Naprawa was posthumously awarded a promotion and given a ceremony honoring her years of service.

Naprawa lived in the same neighborhood as Council Member Joann Ariola, who said she'd visit her district office on coffee breaks. Ariola proposed the street co-naming, located at the site of the crash. She hosted the unveiling ceremony on September 28, 2024—which would have been Naprawa's 64th birthday.