ECSO announces car seat installation events

By Sheriff John C. Garcia

Erie County Sheriff’s Office

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is a vast organization that provides police services to over half of the county, operates two jails and manages the health care of about 800 incarcerated individuals each day.

But did you know we also administer services directly to the citizens of Erie County?

For example, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office traffic unit offers several car seat installation events each month. New York state law requires that all children under the age of 4 to ride in safety seats. It is important to use the correct car seat or safety restraint system that properly corresponds to your child’s height and weight. Read the instruction manual to ensure the seat is installed properly.

The deputies of our traffic unit can help with all of this. In 2024, they held more than 75 events, assisting in the installation of more than 700 car seats. They are already hard at work in 2025! Keep an eye out for their schedule of car seat checks and installation events on the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Facebook and Instagram pages.

Here is the schedule for the remainder of the month of March:

•March 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Grand Island Fire Co., 2275 Baseline Road

•March 17, 4-8 p.m.: Elma Town Hall, 1600 Bowen Road

•March 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: North Bailey Fire Co., 966 Sweet Home Road, Amherst

•March 24, 4-8 p.m.: Elma Town Hall, 1600 Bowen Road

•March 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Springville Fire Department, 405 West Main St.

•March 31, 4-8 p.m.: Elma Town Hall, 1600 Bowen Road

I encourage parents to take advantage of this opportunity. The data proves that car seats save lives. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers up to the age of 4 in passenger vehicles. The same data shows nearly half of parents have their car seat installed incorrectly.

Don’t leave it to chance. You can trust our experts to make sure that your children are safe.