In The News
Press Release
Saturday November 5, 2005
Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator announced today his vision for a child-size town with a big purpose: teaching area youngsters traffic safety in a hands-on environment.
Caddo Sheriff announces plans for child-size safety town
Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator announced today his vision for a child-size town with a big purpose: teaching area youngsters traffic safety in a hands-on environment.
The idea is already taking shape in south Shreveport. Prator recently secured two acres of property donated by Summer Grove Baptist Church to build Sheriff’s Safety Town on Louisiana Highway 3132. Plans for the facility include an educational building and permanent features that will make up the town, including child-size buildings, small streets, traffic lights, and a working railroad crossing.
Elementary students will study safety issues like bike, pedestrian and school bus safety in school before participating in a field trip to Sheriff’s Safety Town. Under the direction of Caddo deputies, students will practice their skills on the streets of Safety Town while riding bicycles and driving miniature electric cars. The facility will operate year-round.
“We’re going to make learning about safety something our children will remember,” Prator said. “Their reward will be visiting Sheriff’s Safety Town. Our reward will be seeing fewer children in our area injured or killed in accidents.”
Nationally and in Louisiana, unintentional accidents are the leading cause of death among children. Caddo Parish is no exception. Hundreds of local children have been injured in accidents in recent years. Many have died. Area children have received serious or fatal injuries from accidents involving bicycles, vehicles, trains, ATVs, firearms, fires, and recreational swimming. Sheriff’s Safety Town will address safety in all of these areas.
Business leaders, public safety officials, and school administrators see Safety Town as a way to protect children by teaching good safety habits at an early age. Willis-Knighton Health System has agreed to fund Safety Town’s education building or share the sponsorship with another hospital or company in a cooperative effort. They also have provided initial support and architectural services for the project. State Farm Insurance, Griggs Enterprises, and AmSouth Bank have agreed to be among the first businesses to construct buildings in the miniature town. Wicker Construction Inc. donated manpower to clear the wooded lot between Walker Road and Jewella Avenue. The Estopinal Group is the architectural firm for the project. Other donations or commitments have come from James Huckabay Insurance, Desi Sprawls and BBC Engineering, and Century Tel.
In addition to local businesses, the program is endorsed and supported by LSU Health Sciences Center, Caddo Parish School Superintendent Ollie Tyler, the City of Shreveport, Shreveport Police Chief Mike Campbell, Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation, and Louisiana Operation Lifesaver.
The Safety Town concept is a proven educational tool in other areas of the country and in Canada because it involves children in the learning process, the Sheriff said.
“I’ve been in law enforcement more than 30 years, and I’ve witnessed more than my share of senseless deaths involving our kids,” Prator said. “This is something I can do … something we all can do to make a lasting difference. It can be just the tool that will help your child or grandchildren avoid a needless accident.”
Safety Town will be funded and supported by donations from the community. There are opportunities for individuals, organizations, and businesses to participate on a number of levels. To receive more information about supporting Safety Town, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 681-0666.
Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator announced today his vision for a child-size town with a big purpose: teaching area youngsters traffic safety in a hands-on environment.
The idea is already taking shape in south Shreveport. Prator recently secured two acres of property donated by Summer Grove Baptist Church to build Sheriff’s Safety Town on Louisiana Highway 3132. Plans for the facility include an educational building and permanent features that will make up the town, including child-size buildings, small streets, traffic lights, and a working railroad crossing.
Elementary students will study safety issues like bike, pedestrian and school bus safety in school before participating in a field trip to Sheriff’s Safety Town. Under the direction of Caddo deputies, students will practice their skills on the streets of Safety Town while riding bicycles and driving miniature electric cars. The facility will operate year-round.
“We’re going to make learning about safety something our children will remember,” Prator said. “Their reward will be visiting Sheriff’s Safety Town. Our reward will be seeing fewer children in our area injured or killed in accidents.”
Nationally and in Louisiana, unintentional accidents are the leading cause of death among children. Caddo Parish is no exception. Hundreds of local children have been injured in accidents in recent years. Many have died. Area children have received serious or fatal injuries from accidents involving bicycles, vehicles, trains, ATVs, firearms, fires, and recreational swimming. Sheriff’s Safety Town will address safety in all of these areas.
Business leaders, public safety officials, and school administrators see Safety Town as a way to protect children by teaching good safety habits at an early age. Willis-Knighton Health System has agreed to fund Safety Town’s education building or share the sponsorship with another hospital or company in a cooperative effort. They also have provided initial support and architectural services for the project. State Farm Insurance, Griggs Enterprises, and AmSouth Bank have agreed to be among the first businesses to construct buildings in the miniature town. Wicker Construction Inc. donated manpower to clear the wooded lot between Walker Road and Jewella Avenue. The Estopinal Group is the architectural firm for the project. Other donations or commitments have come from James Huckabay Insurance, Desi Sprawls and BBC Engineering, and Century Tel.
In addition to local businesses, the program is endorsed and supported by LSU Health Sciences Center, Caddo Parish School Superintendent Ollie Tyler, the City of Shreveport, Shreveport Police Chief Mike Campbell, Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation, and Louisiana Operation Lifesaver.
The Safety Town concept is a proven educational tool in other areas of the country and in Canada because it involves children in the learning process, the Sheriff said.
“I’ve been in law enforcement more than 30 years, and I’ve witnessed more than my share of senseless deaths involving our kids,” Prator said. “This is something I can do … something we all can do to make a lasting difference. It can be just the tool that will help your child or grandchildren avoid a needless accident.”
Safety Town will be funded and supported by donations from the community. There are opportunities for individuals, organizations, and businesses to participate on a number of levels. To receive more information about supporting Safety Town, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 681-0666.