Since Tuesday the traffic in the emblematic corner of 7 and 49 changed thanks to the presence of Alejandra Gonzalez, the inspector who went viral for “challenging” pedestrians who violate road rules with a megaphone. But little is known about this agent who became famous in less than 24 hours and has a life story of solidarity.
Alejandra has been a traffic inspector since 2018 and on a visit to the newsroom of 0221.com.ar She acknowledges: “I am one of those who draws the attention of a lot of people, especially those who cross in the middle of the block, which are the most dangerous. Later, I draw a lot of attention to the people who cross with the stroller. Baby go ahead, daddy and mommy safe, up the sidewalk”, he says and adds between laughs that the man from La Plata “was born ‘infracted'”. “He was born with an infringement wafer before the DNI. Everyone,” he said.
Regarding the viralization of the video in which he is doing his work (which has almost a million views on Twitter), he remarks: “I wouldn’t have to be in the media for this”. However, his cell phone exploded with messages from family and friends.
—How is life for Alejandra without the uniform? Who is Alexandra?
—Well, I think Alejandra is a common person. I have a family with four daughters, five grandchildren, my life partner, many nephews, great-nephews. I am a mom, a grandmother. I think I do what a family does. Enjoy your friends, your partner, your daughters. I have a daughter with major health issues, but she always pushes through…always. It’s get up and go. And do what touches you in the day. If you have to go to work, we go to work, if you have to go for a walk, we all go for a walk. We go to concerts, I enjoy everything like anyone else, I am a citizen.
—And how is your family?
—My daughters are 30, 28, 24 and 19 years old. They all study, luckily. The largest is studying Safety and Hygiene; another works from what is there. “Changuera” I put her, because she does everything. The other studies, works, does “changuitas” too, but she studies. And well, my daughter, the one with a disability, can’t do much, but she also manages, she does sublimations and stays active.
—Is it true that in addition to this job you also have a community kitchen?
—The pandemic made us all have a hard time, so well, I had to talk to a lot of people to get them to collaborate and I was able to make the pot. We all had a hard time, it had storekeepers that melted down, but knowing that they were going to melt down, they donated all the products before they spoil. But the pot was raised due to lack of time, children who study, there are activities, you cannot stop working. But there is always someone in need and it is always about getting something. The idea is that there is no one with needs, but we have not been having a good time for a long time, it is already dragging.
—Did you see the comments on your video? There were messages from many people who know you
—I didn’t see anything, I was full the whole time. I got up, sat down to have breakfast with my daughters and a lot of journalists called me on the phone. I drank two or three mates, my belly hurt all day. I didn’t read anything. All I wanted was to get home to be with my daughters. My daughter, who lives in Romero, sent me a message and said “Ma, I love you”, and she stayed there, I didn’t read messages. I know there are many people who know me. And there are also many downtown businesses that have collaborated with the pot.
—What else is there about Alejandra that we don’t know?
—I’m from the Friesian neighborhood. Passing Airport neighborhood. He is a little square. It is from 613 to 622, from 3 to 7. Everyone knows me, you go and ask for Ale in the neighborhood and they tell you “over there”. Many from the area have collaborated because they knew that I was an inspector and that I was making the pot. The municipal union has also helped me a lot. I’m not one to publish a lot or anything, but because I’m not interested in people being happy with what you do for them.
Every year I go with Santa Claus through the neighborhood and through the Children’s Hospital. And seeing the joy of those kids, who can’t be home because things are happening, is beautiful. I always ask for a lot of sweets to take away, also specific for celiacs. In fact, all babies who are nephrotic cannot eat many sweet and salty things. There are a lot of little things that you don’t know about and that’s what you have to put a lot of emphasis on.
Santa Claus does need help. Every December 23 at 11 pm, it goes out through the Frisón neighborhood. I would love to expand, hopefully no one needs. But they can always count on me, especially those in the neighborhood. And if I can’t, there’s always someone I can call on the phone and, luckily, that person has an “ok”. It is an aid for the joy of the children. Hopefully I can extend it to the entire city of La Plata.
HOW TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DINING ROOM?
To contribute to the Juan Domingo Help Center -name in honor of a young man Saint Charles who saved people in the tragic flood of April 2, 2013-, Those interested can contact Alejandra directly at 221-4181258.
