Child Safety Education & Youth Programs

Bicycle Rodeos
Available at the request of a school or community group. CSOs invite members of the Sheriff’s Bike Patrol Unit and STAR volunteers to assist children in learning about and practicing safe bicycling skills. Various skill test courses are set-up, along with stations devoted to bicycle and helmet inspection. Local bicycle merchants are also asked to attend to help in bike inspection and minor safety repairs. If funds permit, Placer County SAFEkids supports the event by providing free helmets to children in need.
http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/bicycling-and-skating/
http://www.csaa.com/auto/car-traffic-safety/bicycle-safety

Child Identification
There is no database with identifying information for children in the event they become missing. Therefore, the responsibility falls on parents to retain identifiable information for children such as current photograph, dental records and DNA. PCSO has a publication that outlines how to create a Child ID/DNA Kit at home. Some businesses also provide child ID services including photographing and fingerprinting.
http://www.yoursafechild.com

Child Safety Presentations
Available at the request of non-public schools and youth community groups. CSOs provide age appropriate safety information to children on topics such as stranger danger, 9-1-1 and gun safety.
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/strangers

Child Passenger Safety Seats
Provided to families able to demonstrate need and installed by certified technicians. PCSO partners with Placer County SAFEkids to distribute car seats either at community events or on an individual basis. Appointments to install personally owned car seats can be made with trained installers by contacting Placer County SAFEkids.
http://www.safekids.org/in-your-area/coalitions/placer-county.html

Doing Something Good
CSOs established a partnership with businesses in Auburn, Colfax, Foresthill, Granite Bay, Loomis, Penryn and Sheridan to create “gift” cards that patrol deputies could give to children they witnessed “doing something good” i.e. wearing a helmet while on a bike, using a crosswalk, etc. When the card is redeemed at participating businesses kids can receive a FREE drink, ice cream, popsicle or slice of pizza, based on the terms set by the merchant. This program is intended to get deputies out of their vehicles, give them the opportunity to interact in a positive way with the community, and foster better relationships with local youth and their families.

Gun Locks
Supplied by Project Child Safe and distributed at community events by PCSO in an effort to keep children safe from accessing firearms. These cable-style gun locks can be used in autoloading pistols, revolvers, bolt action rifles, autoloading and pump-action shotguns; however, no firearm’s safety or lock can be a substitute for careful gun handling and storage in mechanical or electronic lock boxes or gun safes. Guns often used by minors such as BB/pellet, airsoft and paintball guns can also cause serious injury and precautions should be taken to secure them. Parents are encouraged to inform youth regarding the laws for possession and use of weapons by minors, including “imitation” or “replica” firearms.
http://injury.findlaw.com/bb-guns/
http://injury.findlaw.com/personal-injury/personal-injury-a-z/airsoft-guns.html

Red Ribbon Week
Held annually at the end of October at participating schools throughout the county. PCSO takes the lead in ordering and distributing red ribbon wristbands to unincorporated schools. Throughout the week SROs and CSOs take part in various school activities and provide numerous presentations educating children about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. As budgets permit, CSOs also coordinate with the Placer County Sheriff’s Air Operations Unit to provide an aerial photo flyover of students assembled on a school lawn or field area forming themselves in an anti-drug symbol or message.
http://www.redribboncoalition.com/
http://www.imdrugfree.com/

Ride With Pride
Held during the summer at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. CSOs schedule members of the sheriff’s office, all with horse riding experience, to present a one day program to children about the care, handling and riding of horses. The event is free for children ages seven to 12 and four separate dates are typically offered.

S.A.F.E (Safety Awareness for Elementary)
Taught by CSOs in unincorporated county public schools in grades K-4. Lessons focus on a variety of topics such as stranger danger, 9-1-1, gun safety, dangers of drugs, and cyber safety. Instruction is designed to be age appropriate, encourage problem solving, and allow children to interact with law enforcement in a positive way. School administrators are invited to take advantage of this program each Fall and Spring.

Walk to School
Held annually at the beginning of October at participating elementary schools and coordinated by the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency. Members of PCSO partner with local fire departments, Placer County SAFEkids and national program sponsor FedEx on the day of the event to walk kids to school safely. In addition to encouraging the use of sidewalks and crosswalks, some schools invite CSOs to present the importance of seatbelts, bicycle and additional pedestrian safety information.
http://www.walktoschool.org/