In 1975, teacher Barb Harris proposed Bedford Public Schools bring an Ohio-based preschool safety program to Monroe County.
Today, 50 years later, Safety Town/Safety City programs teach Monroe County preschoolers and kindergarteners all aspects of safety and prepare them for school. This year, Bedford Public Schools is hosting Safety Town through July 18.
“There were two, two-week sessions (in Bedford), so a total of 120 4- to 6-year-olds. There was a waiting list,” said Kim Hooper of Monroe, a retired police officer and school liaison officer who helped start the local program.
“Programs are (currently) being taught in Erie Mason and Jefferson (schools). We do not know how many students have participated over the years,” said Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough. “Each day a different safety component is introduced to students from professionals from the community. Each organization brings their own ‘flavor’ to the day, with equipment, stories and fun items to share. Monroe County Sheriff’s Office officers, along with Eddie Eagle and the Stranger Danger Dog, visit to discuss safety at home and in the community.”
Kids also learn about water safety, sit in a fire truck, take a ride on a school bus and learn about weather safety. Louie the Lightning Bug from DTE Energy teaches electrical safety. McGruff the Crime Dog talks about the dangers of drugs. Kids meet first responders and receive a certificate and shirt at a mini graduation ceremony.
The Safety Town/Safety City concept was started in 1937 in Mansfield, Ohio, by Traffic Commissioner Frend Boals and Ruth Robbins, a kindergarten teacher.
“It was designed to teach various areas of traffic safety to pre-kindergarten children in a … community program,” according to the Mansfield Police Department’s website. “It has grown into one of the most sought after juvenile programs to date.”
From Mansfield, the program spread around the world. Though the years, Safety City/Safety Town has been taught to thousands at Bedford Public Schools, Monroe Public Schools, Jefferson Schools and in Dundee, Erie, Ida and Flat Rock.
Hooper was Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s new school liaison officer when local discussions began.
“In 1975, Smith Road teacher Barb Harris proposed BPS partner with the MCSO and start a two-week safety program,” Hooper recalled.
Hooper pitched the idea to then-Sheriff Charles G. Harrington.
A hallmark of the project is the little “city” created onsite, complete with roads, sidewalks and traffic lights. Kids ride big-wheel bikes and tricycles through the town.
“Barb and I made up the curriculum, and the BHS woodshop made the wooden buildings. BPS maintenance painted the playground to resemble the neighborhood. A working traffic light, powered by a car battery, was purchased by the sheriff, along with six (big-wheels),” Hooper said.
According to Monroe News archives, 150 kids participated the first year. Soon after, Monroe Public Schools started its Safety City program.
“Both BPS and MCSO received a lot of positive public relations from the program, so much so that Monroe Public Schools also wanted such a program. The program was started in 1976 in Monroe. My wife, Maryanne, was a part-time certified teacher for MPS and was hired for the Monroe program,” Hooper said. “In 1979, I was promoted to traffic sergeant (with MCSO) and oversaw the program. Maryanne was the program’s teacher for five years.”
The Hoopers’ son, Jeff, was one of the safety program’s attendees in 1985. Now, he’s a sergeant with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s great looking back now, knowing that you were part of a 50-year program that may have safeguarded so many children,” Hooper said. “(Maryanne and I) are both happy that the program is (still) continuing.”
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Five decades of caution: Safety Town/Safety City began 50 years ago in Monroe County
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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