Bismarck Capital City Coalition Highlights For November

This coalition is working on building their coalition. Three prospective new members were invited to attend the monthly coalition meeting and two of the three attended. Carol Thurn, NDDOT Program Manager for Safe Communities, brought Michael Jay, the program administrator for the motorcycle safety program from ABATE. Mark Buschena brought Al Nass, who works with Mark at the Bismarck Police Department.

Al spoke on school zone enforcement and other parking issues. He stated that over the previous 74 days, 227 parking tickets had been issued. Current enforcement efforts dictate writing every ticket that needs to be written. The Bismarck PD has also started mailing tickets to violators. The fine for parking in a no parking zone is .00. As of December 1, 2001, all boats, jet skies and campers needed to be off the streets until after March 31, 2002.

To address occupant protection, the coalition is instituting monthly car seat check ups, safety belt campaigns and local middle schools and high schools, and working with an employer on the Buckle Up America Award.

The Monthly Car Seat Check Up Committee of the coalition has instituted a program of monthly Car Safety Seat Check Ups. A plan of action was prepared and contacts made in the community to find the people and places needed to carry out the plan. Two local car dealerships, Stan Puklich Motors and Bill Barth Ford, have agreed to host the Check Ups on alternating months. The first Check Up was held from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, November 14, 2001, at Stan Puklich Motors. Agencies present included: Custer Health, Bismarck Burleigh Public Health, Burleigh County Sheriff's Department, MedCenter One, St. Alexius, the State Health Department, ND Safety Council and Bill Barth Ford. Eight checkers and three volunteers checked 20 car safety seats. All in all the check went very well. Following the Check Up a Monthly Car Seat Check Up Committee Meeting was held to review the process and discuss possible improvements.

Local middle schools and high schools have been contacted to consider implementing Safety Belt incentive campaigns. Century High School has agreed to implement a High School Safety Belt Campaign. The High School Safety Belt Campaign was explained and agreed to at a SADD Chapter meeting. Posters and signs are being prepared. Bismarck High School and Mandan High School are considering implementation of Safety Belt Campaigns. The Drivers Education instructor at Hughes Middle School has agreed work with the coalition. The coordinator has been invited to speak to students obtaining driver permits and licenses.

Chairperson Jan Schmid of MedCenter One is working with her employer toward earning the Buckle Up America Award.