Minot Mayor's Council Program Highlights for May 2002.

A representative from Trinity Health's Mental Health Department attending the May coalition meeting was impressed with Safe Communities and will continue involvement. Safe Communities updates were forwarded to members via KIDS Council and coordinator emails. The high school seat belt campaign and May Mobilization activities were publicized on the noon show of both television stations. May Mobilization also received newspaper and radio coverage and the "Be A Better Biker" event received newspaper coverage. A Press Conference for the May Mobilization was held on May 28 at City Hall. The NHTSA "Click It or Ticket" banner sent from NDDOT was used as backdrop. Following the Press Conference, reporters from both television stations accompanied police officers on a ride-along. Coverage aired during the 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. news on both stations. All radio stations covered the event.

Training of observers for the spring safety belt survey took place on Wednesday, May 1, 2002, during four class periods: 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 pm. All observers, as well as fellow DECA classmates, completed the training. The spring safety belt survey took place Thursday, May 2, 2002, at ten randomly selected sites and predetermined time slots. Training plans for the fall safety belt survey were discussed with the DECA advisor and will be finalized in August.
In conjunction with the Adopt-A-Cop program, incentive items were distributed to schools. The Mock Crash video was used in local and surrounding area schools during graduation and prom seasons and to enhance May Mobilization efforts. The focus of this month's May Mobilization's "Click It or Ticket" was occupant protection. A report, videos and photos of the May Mobilization and high school safety belt campaign events were provided to NHTSA. Captain Jeff Balentine of the Minot Police Department and Optimist Club finalized post-survey plans for the 157 Blitz Preparation (May Mobilization). The new Law Enforcement Trading Card program utilized May Mobilization, the Adopt-A-Cop program, schools, the Safe Communities office, and Clear Channel Communications for distribution of incentives. "Click It or Ticket" reader boards were displayed throughout the community.

Training for law enforcement was enhanced through May Mobilization efforts. Law Enforcement trading cards promoted seat belt usage and provided motivation and education to officers about the importance of enforcing seat belt laws. The "Click It or Ticket" message was endorsed by commanding officers was another means of training and providing incentives for enforcement of seat belt laws.

Be A Better Biker, a bicycle safety event, was planned for Tuesday, June 4, 2002, at the Minot Auditorium. Assistance with preparation for this event has been provided. Skateboard safety event plans have been postponed by committee members of the Injury Prevention Coalition (Mayor's Council for a Safe Community).

Saturation patrols and enhanced enforcement efforts were a primary focus during prom and graduation season. The Mock Crash video was utilized by area high schools, Minot State University, at safety workshops and seminars, and in Driver's Education classrooms, as well as by a number of other organizations,including Trinity Health. The Mock Crash documentary addresses active enforcement through interviews with the Police Department and Highway Patrol. Law Enforcement trading cards offered individual officers the opportunity to provide a personal safety tip either on occupant protection or impaired driving. Plans are being made for new designated driver programs.

Minot Worksite Safety Belt Final Campaign Report:

The worksite safety belt campaign held at the Wal-Mart store totaled eight weeks in its entirety.

Week 1: Planning began with management and employees were assisted with campaign administration.

Week 2: Incentive items were distributed to employees: . Occupant protection information and campaign information, including a NHTSA Crash Clips video, were provided to employees during meetings. Posters were displayed, pledges were given to employees, and pre-survey results were announced. A safety belt usage of 54 was reported. Management urged employees to improve usage to 85% to qualify for the NHTSA award, promising a celebratory event if that goal was achieved. Occupant protection information, trivia facts, in-house announcements, etc., were provided to those employees planning to assist with the campaign.

Week 3: PA announcements began and occupant protection facts and information were provided at daily meetings. The NHTSA Crash Clips video was televised for employees and customers. Officer John Klug spoke to employees about occupant protection from the law enforcement perspective. Incentives were provided to employees who signed pledges.

Week 4: Incentive items were distributed to employees caught buckled up and to those who signed pledges. In-house contests were held and incentives awarded to winners. Brenda Coleman of the Community Ambulance spoke to employees on occupant protection from an EMS perspective, focusing on injuries and the effects thereof. Plans were made for a coloring contest.

Week 5: The mid-survey results of 62% usage were shared with employees. Coloring contest posters were provided for distribution to customers. Trivia was played during meetings and incentives were given to winners. Employees continued to sign pledges. In-house announcements were developed and supplied to Wal-Mart.

Week 6: Media at both local television stations provided coverage, including Noon Show appearances of Wal-Mart employees and management. This gave Wal-Mart an opportunity to share its efforts with the community, as well as the success of the campaign. Plans for a car seat check-up were cancelled due to weather. PA announcements continued and coloring contest posters were displayed in the store. Winners received incentives and information on buckling up. Employees caught buckled up were also given incentives.

Week 7: Trivia and other games were played at daily meetings. In-house announcements continued.

Week 8: The promotion concluded by thanking employees. Post-survey results showed a 65% usage rate!.

Although not qualifying for the NHTSA award, the campaign was considered successful. The survey results show an increase of eleven percentage points--, which surpassed the goal of a ten percent increase. Wal-Mart employees began with a 54% usage rate and ended the campaign with a 65% usage rate.


Minot High School Safety Belt Final Campaign Report:

This seven-week campaign began with a pre-survey conducted by the school's Key Club, under supervision of the guidance office. The pre-survey indicated a baseline usage rate of 62%.

Week 1: An initial meeting was held with the school administrators and students to plan the campaign, which was then shared with the student body through morning announcements and fliers. Students caught buckled up were awarded incentives. Occupant protection facts and statistics were provided to the students.

Week 2: Vince & Larry "visited" the student body, handing out incentives and occupant protection brochures. Buckle Bear also made appearances and provided incentives. Pledge sheets were distributed to students and posters were displayed throughout the school.

Week 3: Incentives were given to students who signed pledges. Morning announcements amusing announcements were shared by assisting students. A Buckle Up Display was created by the students and displayed near the guidance office.

Week 4: Students shared campaign information with the community during Noon Show appearances on both local television stations. Mid-survey results indicated a usage rate decline to 61%. Students attended Mock Crash.

Week 5: Students continued to share occupant protection information and statistics over the intercom during announcements. More students were awarded incentives for buckling up and signing pledges. The art department began designing its "Click It or Ticket" banner.

Week 6: The crashed car display was cancelled due to insufficient planning and time. Vince & Larry and Buckle Bear returned to the school, distributing incentives and occupant protection education. A wall-sized "Click It or Ticket" banner was prepared in conjunction with the national May Mobilization and displayed by the school office near the front entrance of the building. Photos of campaign activities were posted for students to view. More incentives were provided to students.

Week 7: Intercom announcements continued, with messages reminding students about the importance of buckling up all summer, i.e. remember the campaign message after completion of the school year. Plans for a Ghost Out were discontinued due to lack of time. Students created PSA's which were aired over the intercom. Incentives were distributed to students buckled up and to those who signed pledges. The post-survey was conducted, indicating a usage rate of 71%.

Although the increase in usage rate did not reach the goal of ten percentage points, the campaign was considered a success in that the student body took ownership of the campaign. Students from several different school organizations were extremely motivated and excited about the campaign. The final survey results indicated an increase of nine percentage points. The guidance department personnel have asked to be considered for another similar campaign during the next academic year.