LAGUNA NIGUEL : Seniors Pull Fast Move in Slow Traffic

As rush-hour traffic builds to a jam at one of the city’s worst intersections, 60-year-old Dick Siegel takes center stage.

In his crisp, white shirt, black cap and navy-blue trousers, he points, waves and gestures his white-gloved hands. Gliding from lane to lane, he blasts his whistle, calling attention to his next command.

And hundreds of harried motorists follow his lead.

“It’s easy once you get into a rhythm,” he says. “You look right into their eyes and show them what you want them to do.”

Siegel and his wife, Adele, are among 23 senior-citizen volunteers who have taken to city streets to assist law enforcement in routine public safety duties to free up officers.

As members of the Police Auxiliary Citizens Team, or PACT, they were sworn in July 6 and have been undergoing field training the last few weeks. The 10 women and 13 men check on houses of vacationing residents, speak on crime prevention, register bicycles and assist with special events, among other duties.

The team, equipped with a new $18,900 van and $4,600 in uniforms and equipment from the city, is one of several that perform similar functions in other South County communities.

“I haven’t been what you would call productive in the last five years,” said volunteer Lloyd Wilbur, 71, a retired banker. “This is a good way to get out and meet people and get involved.”

But only in this city are PACT members stepping into the rush-hour surge to keep traffic flowing, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Harry Watson, who supervises the team.

The seniors’ assistance comes in handy as crews continue a widening project along Alicia Parkway at Aliso Creek Road: The intersection has turned into a jumble of three lanes meeting single lanes meeting turn lanes.

Most of the day, flashing red lights keep cars moving smoothly. But during the morning and evening crunch hours, motorists have spent as much as 20 minutes inching along in milelong lines, Watson said.

So, Watson asked for volunteers to help officers with traffic control. Dick Siegel, Wilbur and three others--David Graham, 70, Pete Hinebaugh, 70, and Edward Otten, 71--stepped forward.

For the last couple of workday weeks, the traffic team has been at the intersection shortly after 7 a.m. And next week, Watson plans to let the group work the more intense evening rush.

On Wednesday morning, Watson met members at the junction to give them pointers. The roads used to be configured so that only one volunteer was needed at a time. But crews recently changed the configuration, now requiring two volunteers to maintain an orderly flow.

Siegel and Graham, the most experienced, stepped out first, working like shortstop and second baseman turning double plays at an old-timers’ game.

“I can’t believe his arms don’t fall off, he gets them going so fast,” Watson said, watching Siegel in action.

A few minutes later, Siegel--who retired three years ago after selling his New York City printing business and who reels off one-liners like a Catskills comedian--took a break. But his adrenaline flowed.

“I enjoy all of” the volunteer duties, he said, “but this is the most exciting. It’s the most hands-on.

“I’m pumped! Those suckers move too slow!”