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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. W. Curtis Thomas |
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Thomas applauds opening weeks of local safety patrol
Program creates safe environment for kids, bridge of opportunity and employment for adults
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19 – State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas is applauding members of the 181st Kids Zone Network Safety Patrol and thanking the stakeholders whose cooperation made it possible.
Thomas said the School District of Philadelphia partnered with the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, the 181st Kids Zone and others on Dec. 10 to implement the 181st Safety Patrol at 10 local schools.
The patrol provides a safe environment and safe passage for children going to and from school, while providing upward career mobility for adults from the local community.
The 181st Safety Patrol consists of two adults from the surrounding neighborhoods patrolling outside schools from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Patrol members walk the schools’ outer perimeter and are available to provide information and assistance to parents, students, teachers and administrators.
Thomas said the patrol is at schools which, due to budget cuts, lost their per diem security officers or police patrols. The participating schools are Kearney, Spring Garden, Harrison, William Penn, Ludlow, Potter-Thomas, Cook, Ferguson, Hartranft and Morrison.
In addition to keeping local children safe, Thomas said the patrol program offers a second benefit by creating a bridge of opportunity for patrol members. Members of the patrol who began in the 2007-08 school year will be referred to the school district as per diem security officers for the next school year. In their third year of service, members will have the opportunity to become school district police officers.
“This program is providing an employment opportunity for respected members of our community while keeping our most valuable resource – our children – safe on their way to and from school,” Thomas said. “Children will learn better when they look forward to going to school each day and knowing they can get there safely.
“Establishing this local patrol marks the first time community leaders have stepped up to partner in making safety a reality in our schools.”
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |