Dickinson Southwest Coalition Highlights For May 2002

Parents of Dickinson High School, the Dickinson Police Department and the coordinator discussed the possibility of holding an after-graduation party this year. A student survey indicated students would like to have a party and identified preferred activities for the party. The five parents present determined that it was too late to plan an event for this year, but expressed interest in planning an event for next year. They would like to see support from the school, law enforcement, parents, students and community people at planning meetings. Funding was also discussed and grant resources continue to be researched. Fundraiser events during the next school year were also suggested. Dances with security continue at the Armory. Student attendance appears to remain regular. The coordinator discussed Safe Communities and data collected from St. Joseph's Hospital with the Family Planning Nurse Practitioner. The data provided will be used to complete the Data Tool Kit. Contact with the West River Regional Health Center in Hettinger will be made over the summer to determine their willingness to support completion of the regional injury profile.

Recently completed survey information regarding safety belts, falls and other injuries throughout Region VIII and the Northwest part of South Dakota was received from St. Joseph's Hospital. The hospital maintains a website used to check for specific information. A complete report will be provided after a thorough review of the website.

The coalition participated in the May mobilization - Buckle Up America - Click It or Ticket Campaign. Plans were made to have a three-hour live remote from the Prairie Hills Mall with demonstrations of the seatbelt convincer. A yellow Click It or Ticket banner was purchased and displayed around the community. Windy days postponed this display for several days, but it was eventually put up. The sign was hung using bumji cords on metal posts donated by "Runnings" farm equipment store. Community Action's Executive Director hauled the seatbelt Convincer from the Minot Air Force Base for use during the campaign. Minot Air Force Base donated the device. KLTC, KCAD and KZRX interviewed coalition members and visitors as they rode the Convincer. A mini survey asking questions such as: "Do you wear your seat belt all the time, some of the time, or not at all," was conducted at the same time. People entering the area were given Click It or Ticket yellow antenna balls, dash pads, pencils, and beach balls were given to the children. Children were not allowed to ride the Convincer. Potential riders were required to have a valid drivers license or drivers permit. During a two-week period, incentive items were distributed to businesses, along with encouragement for management to buckle up and advice that they encourage their employees to do the same.

In conjunction with the Prairie Hills Mall and State Farm Insurance, the coalition sponsored the Third Annual Summer Safety Days. Activities included a car safety seat check, trampoline safety, bicycle helmet give away, camping safety, park forest safety, fall safety, electrical safety, swimming safety, first-aid by the American Red Cross, sports safety, child safety seat safety, Kids On The Block, Buckle Up America, fingerprint and photo ID, weather safety with meteorologist Brian Neudorff, National Guard Humvee and armored vehicle displays, and Civil Air Patrol planes. A total of ten car seats were checked. Three seats were replaced due to outdates, improper fit (moved to booster seat) and excessive soiling from extensive use. The State Farm Insurance Agency provided a grant for 5.00 to purchase additional seats.

A total of 110 bicycle helmets were distributed to youth. Each youth was required to visit each display booth and have their brochure signed by a booth attendant before they were eligible to receive a bicycle helmet and register for two bicycles that were given away the following week. In one of the booths, an Optimist member conducted bicycle safety and checked bicycles for any adjustments or repairs that might be needed. The planned radio trivia contest for bicycle helmets was postponed until June. The radio station asked to participate in the BMX races taking place in early June, and requested that the radio contest be used as a lead up to the races. The race coordinators also asked to participate at the event with a booth and the Convincer. Both requests have been agreed upon. More information regarding the radio trivia contest will be provided in the report next month. Due to 157 surveys, the spring community safety belt survey, May Mobilization, prep work and setup for Safety City, schools were not surveyed for bicycle helmet usage this spring. Surveys will be conducted at ballparks this summer and at schools in the fall.

The D.W. Eyes were loaned to the Beach drivers training instructor for driving training classes to demonstrate impairment to driving and walking skills. Do Buckle, Don't Booze materials were also provided for the instructor to distribute as handouts to participating students.

The radio station was contacted to assist with the Enforcing Underage Drinking event being hosted in the community. They agreed to do a two-hour live remote from the Prairie Hills Mall and advertised for the evening forum. Individuals willing to speak about underage drinking issues were contacted to be present at the radio remote and have data and other information to share with the audience. Speakers included representatives from the coalition, Law Enforcement, the judicial system, Badlands Human Services, and the guest speaker from Ohio Parents Group, Holly Zweizig. Holly also spoke at the Travelodge Motel that evening with other participants from the radio remote. Following the speakers, she discussed the program in Ohio and ways it could be applied in North Dakota.

Final Report of High School Safety Belt Campaigns at
Dickinson High School, Trinity High School and Hagen Junior High School:

In September, dates were determined to meet with the groups of students that would be working on the campaign. The Dickinson High School track team and Coach Schwartz will conduct the High School Buckle Up program from October through May. Trinity High School student council students, including grades 9 through 12, will conduct their campaign from October until May under the direction of Rod Torgerson. Teacher Del Quigley and the 7th and 8th grade student council will conduct the Junior High Buckle Up program throughout the year at Hagen Junior High.

Each group involved was paid a total of 0.00 for helping with the safety belt surveys and distributing information and materials. Four different colored highlighters and scrapers left over from the previous year, were handed out to students buckled up in conjunction with a seatbelt survey at both senior high schools. Other incentive items included:
Buckle Up pencils and erasers in a bag -- given to students during the kick-off pledge day

For Hagen Junior High School students -- two .00 mall gift certificates good at any store in the mall

For Senior High School students - one .00 gas vouchers from Jeff's Towing, one .00 gas voucher from Sinclair, two .00 gas voucher from DJ's Amoco, three 13" TV/VCR's valued at 9.54 each for the large drawing in May, three viewfinder cameras valued at .88 each for the May drawing, three CD headphone players valued at .97 each, and three CD boom boxes valued at .97 each.

Pledge sheets were made for each school using their school colors and logo. This activity had such positive results last year that it was repeated for a second year. Students who pledged to buckle up received a pencil or eraser.

The contracting students under the direction of their coordinator conducted the final safety belt survey the week prior to the prize distributions.

Each school established a day for student volunteers to distribute Caught Buckled Up tickets to students coming to school wearing their safety belts. Caught Buckled Up tickets were given to students and faculty at the senior high schools. They were instructed to sign the tickets and deliver them to the Student Affairs office for a drawing later in the week. The students waited for several days to find out who won the individual prizes. Distribution of prizes was done the last week of school, which was considered too busy for this activity. Many students and teachers were unable to participate due to other end-of-the-year activities. If this campaign is repeated next year, the final activities will be held a week earlier.

Interviews were provided to a Dickinson High School student for an article in their school paper. Trinity High School and Hagen Junior High School also had articles in their school newsletters. Information was added to their Channel 1 announcement program and also distributed to parents.