North Dakota Safe Communities Programs Receive Awards

The Red River Valley Safe Communities Coalition from Fargo was nominated for the Safe Communities Recognition award for their efforts over the previous year. For nearly six months, without a coordinator, the volunteers of the Red River Valley Safe Communities Coalition reorganized their entire structure. Members actively set up committees and named committee chairs, found a fiscal agent, and negotiated matching funds to add to the program. The coalition members not only kept projects going, but also made some of those projects self-sufficient.

Captain Dave Bruckner of the West Fargo Police Department and Robyn Litke, Fargo Safe Communities Coordinator, receive an award from ND-DOT Director David Sprynczynatyk.  The award was in recognition of the Fargo Safe Communities Coalition's successfully meeting the elements of a Safe Community.

When Robyn Litke was hired as the new coordinator in September 2001, she walked into an organization of committed members who provided direction, guidance, and service to the program. This Safe Communities program is the only one in the state that is governed entirely by a group of volunteer citizens. Robyn added her strengths to the program, and one year later, the Red River Valley Safe Communities Coalition has become an effective and dominant force in the overall Safe Communities program in North Dakota.

The efforts of the coalition and Robyn are a dramatic testament of how a group of volunteers and can make a difference in a community. The commitment and contributions to traffic safety in Fargo are appreciated. Congratulations and thank you to the Red River Valley Safe Communities Coalition for your hard work and dedication.

Diana Read of the Region I Safe Communities Coalition in Williston was nominated for the Safe Communities Recognition award for her efforts as coordinator. The Region I Safe Communities program has always been a strong community program. Under Diana's coordination, the program gained greater momentum, became more diverse, and reached farther into the region it serves. Diana is known as a reputable expert in the field of traffic safety, and is often called upon for her expertise and knowledge. She has developed an extraordinary working relationship with the media and works equally well with youth and adults. Several of the programs Diana coordinated have won regional and national awards. She has learned to overcome the obstacles of isolation and distance in her region, and has solidified North Dakota's Region I into a strong three-county traffic safety program.

ND-DOT Director David Sprynczynatyk presents Diana Read, Williston, an award for her outstanding work as a Safe Communities Coordinator.

Darryl Hall of the Three Affiliated Tribes Traffic Safety Program in New Town was nominated for his efforts as the Safe Communities coordinator on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Over the past six years, Darryl has had the daunting job of coordinating projects and programs on a reservation covering portions of six counties divided by Lake Sakakawea. Darryl has a keen sense of what works within his culture, and has the know-how to get projects accomplished.

Darryl manages volunteers to do what needs to be done, which is an exceptional trait of any coordinator. Darryl's projects, from Safety Village to putting up crosses on roadways over Memorial Day have been very successful. During his tenure, the Fort Berthold Reservation has seen a dramatic reduction in alcohol-related crashes and in traffic-related fatalities. Darryl's unconventional programming has made a significant difference for Fort Berthold and the Three Affiliated Tribes.

The efforts of these Safe Communities coordinators and their coalitions have been instrumental in bringing traffic safety to the forefront in their communities and North Dakota.