Wauseon, OH–Keith Torbet, Wauseon Police Chief, announces the receipt of a grant to begin a new “Safe Communities” Program in Fulton County. “I am pleased to announce this new program to be known as the ‘Fulton County Safe Communities’, and the opportunity to do all we can to reduce the number of traffic fatalities on the roadways of our community”, stated Chief Torbet. “It is imperative to not only enforce the laws regarding traffic safety, but to continue our efforts to improve visibility of my deputies and to add education to complete our vision of a safer Fulton County.”
The grant through the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Safety Office, is funded by monies provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Safe Communities approach is to create a community-based initiative where the expansion of resources and partnerships brings awareness for the need of traffic safety education and public awareness. The program is for all communities in the Fulton County Area. A Coalition has been formed with members from law enforcement, ODOT, emergency services, county engineers, county commissioners, health department, county extension office and public safety. The mission of a Safe Community is to create safety programs that will lend to reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities. In Fulton County last year, there were 12 fatal traffic accidents and 6 fatal traffic accidents in 2011.
“The need to add awareness of traffic safety issues with enforcement is a great concern for our county, especially for our younger drivers,” noted Chief Torbet. “Awareness and education is key to saving lives.”
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office currently holds a grant through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office for High Visibility Enforcement during major Holidays and National Mobilizations Blitzes such a “Click It Or Ticket and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”. This new grant will add to the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office to make traffic safety a priority of the Office, and for the safety of citizens and visitors to the area.
“If through education, we can get people to realize how they can increase their safety by merely putting on a seatbelt or not driving impaired, we have succeeded and used this grant well,” Chief Torbet said. “The costs associated with the loss of life cannot be measured in dollars and cents, especially to those who lose someone they care about”.
For more information regarding the new “Fulton County Safe Communities”, contact Rachel Kinsman, Fulton County Health Department at 419-337-0915. For information on traffic related issues and programs, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.gov