It's AAA 'School Safety Patrol Week' in New York

Thousands of patrollers across the state and hundreds locally are recognized

By AAA of Western and Central New York

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proclaimed April 29 through May 5 as “AAA School Safety Patrol Week” in New York state in recognition of the fine efforts of school safety patrol members.

The first safety patrols were organized in 1920. AAA WCNY provides school safety patrol belts, badges and handbooks to more than 250 schools throughout the region who will be celebrating their accomplishments this week.

“The AAA School Safety Patrol program has provided useful training and supplies for safety patrollers nationally for 99 years. Safety patrollers contribute to New York’s outstanding record of keeping its elementary school students safe,” the governor said.

Safety patrollers are trained to direct classmates at street crossings and along designated safe routes to school; to assist in school bus loading, unloading and transit; and to perform other safety-related functions at the direction of school officials. They are selected on the basis of leadership potential, academic standing and character.

Elizabeth Carey, public relations director at AAA Western and Central New York, joined the governor in urging all motorists to assist safety patrollers in their goal of preventing crashes involving young pedestrians.

“AAA encourages drivers to be extra careful when driving near schools, buses and playgrounds,” Carey said. “We’re honored to support safety patrollers throughout Western and Central New York with the supplies they need to keep their fellow students safe at school.”

Currently, there are more than 9,000 patrol members in New York state, in nearly 500 schools, who guide and protect their classmates throughout the school year. Since the AAA clubs of New York organized the first safety patrols, the program has helped to prevent traffic-related injuries and deaths among children at elementary schools.

This is an opportunity to give recognition to youngsters who are concerned enough about their fellow students to serve as members of their patrol.

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 880,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.