Safety Town returns, with aid of area businesses

2012 marked the inaugural Safety Town program for the Urbana Police Division. The creation of Safety Town was the result of a Boy Scout Eagle Scout project for Sam Molton, son of Urbana Officer Steve Molton. Safety Town is located inside Melvin Miller City Park, just south of the city pool. Our first year we hosted 20 incoming kindergartners to the week-long program. Last year, our program grew to a total of 54 students.

Recently, we were honored by our local State Farm Insurance agencies when we received a State Farm grant and matching funds from the Ron Burns State Farm Insurance agency as well as the Erin Patton State Farm Insurance agency, totaling $1,000 to be used by us for the continued improvement and growth of our Safety Town program.

The presenters for Safety Town are Urbana Officers Todd Pratt and Jason Kizer. Several local organizations assist with the daily presentations, including the Urbana Fire Department, Urbana City Pool, Urbana City Schools, Champaign County Jobs and Family Services, CareFlight and the Columbia Gas Company.

Throughout the week the incoming kindergartners cover topics that include:

·Good Drugs / Bad Drugs

·Fire Safety

·Roadway Safety

·Pedestrian Safety

·Playground Safety

·School Bus Safety

·Water Safety

·Utility Hazards Safety

·Stranger Danger

Safety Town gives Urbana police officers a tremendous opportunity to begin building on our efforts to reach and connect with our youth at a young age and share wonderful times with them as they prepare to enter their formal schooling years, a great time in their lives.

We truly appreciate the community-minded help from Ron Burns and Erin Patton, and the State Farm Insurance Company. Because of their support, we hope to provide this year’s class participants with the best Safety Town experience yet.

This year, we are conducting two Safety Town programs. The first will be the week of June 6 through June 10, 2016, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. each day. A second week-long session will be held the week of June 13 through June 17, 2016, at the same times.

Registrations are currently being accepted through May 23, 2016, and can be picked up at the Police Division, 205 S. Main Street, or online at www.urbanaohio.com under the tab, Sign Up For Safety Town. Classes may be closed once each class has reached a total of 32 registrants.

From left are Todd Pratt, Ron Burns, Erin Patton and Jason Kizer.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/05/web1_-l-r-Todd-Pratt-2c-Ron-Burns-2c-Erin-Patton-Jason-Kizer.jpgFrom left are Todd Pratt, Ron Burns, Erin Patton and Jason Kizer. Submitted photo
A week of safety lessons for children incoming kindergartners

By Chief Matt Lingrell

Urbana Police Division

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