Region 1 Safe Communities Program Highlights for August 2004

The rural nature of the region requires unique strategies for implementing a Safe Communities program. The use of regional county agencies, such as the Upper Missouri Health Unit, county Sheriff's office, ND Highway Patrol, and the local police departments are an effective method in implementing programs throughout the region. Region 1 Safe Communities has made a major effort to build the coalition into a strong and cohesive community group. Members on the Region 1 coalition represent health agencies, law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, treatment and rehabilitation facilities, businesses, media, insurance providers, car dealerships, city and county government, college and high school educators, students, child care providers and private citizens. This variety of people has made the coalition much stronger with many people willing to participate in the different activities planned throughout the year. The program enjoys a very active and supportive Executive Board.

Front Row: Pat Aanrud, CSCC Coordinator; Judy Marmon, Community Restitution; Karen McDaniel, Prevention; Holly Snellings, NW Human Service Center; Suzanne Eiken, Child Support Enforcement. Second Row: Tom Ryan, Parent; Janice Bruins, Mercy Medical Center; Lorri Slocum, Upper Missouri District Health Unit; Jim Jarland, Fire and Ambulance Third Row: Rick Hickock, Parent; Bob Stancel, Williams County Sheriff's Office; Jack Colby, Juvenile Supervisor; Mark Hanson, Williston Police Department; Alan Billehus, ND Highway Patrol; Don Wahus, Mercy Recovery Center

Occupant protection, according to the coalition, remains the number one traffic safety problem throughout the region. Law enforcement agencies have made positive strides in their efforts to increase child restraint and safety belt enforcement. The gains made in the safety belt use rate have been a slow, but upward climb. The Region 1 Safe Communities coalition has also identified impaired driving prevention and underage alcohol prevention as priority programs.

The Region 1 Safe Communities Coalition plans and implements a large number of projects and activities each year. These projects are spread throughout the region, and results of the activities are beginning to make an impact in such communities as Crosby, Tioga and Watford City. Car safety seat checkups have been held in Williston, Tioga, Trenton and Crosby. The coalition participates in community events such as the LifeFest at Williston State College, the Williams County Fair, Sport and Recreation Show, and the Mercy Medical Center Safety Fair. A mock crash was held in Crosby and Ray and high school safety belt campaigns were conducted at the public high school and junior high school in Williston and the high schools in Crosby and Watford City. The numbers of projects conducted each year in Region 1 average more than 10 per month, and the numbers of people contacted count into the thousands.

One of the most positive partnerships the coalition has developed has been with the community's media resources. Having the benefit of a media representative on the coalition has served the program well. The coordinator and coalition representatives have appeared a number of times on the local television's noon show. Local radio stations provide the program with free airtime for public service announcements, and sell local advertising to conduct live radio remotes. Numerous articles and advertisements have been printed in the Williston Daily Herald, the Shopper, the Tioga Tribune, the Crosby Journal and the McKenzie County Farmer.

The coalition has made much progress with data collection in the past year. Data is available from the emergency medical services on a regular basis, and most recently, injury data has been acquired from Mercy Medical Center. Five coalition members have agreed to serve on the newly established Data Committee.

The Region 1 program has also made great strides in its self-sufficiency efforts. Local funding through such agencies and programs as United Way, alcohol server training fees, Casual for Charity Days and the Victim Impact Panel has helped support the local efforts not funded by federal grant dollars.

Read credits her dedicated coalition members with the success of the Region 1 Safe Communities program. She very strongly believes it is because of their commitment that the community is slowly changing its norms and placing more value on safety.