McDonald police officers push bicycle-helmet safety

If kids wear their helmets, they can receive discounted amusement park tickets.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
McDONALD -- More youngsters will be on bicycles as summer approaches, though their safety won't be the only incentive for them to strap on their helmets.
At Wednesday's village council meeting, officials were told that the McDonald Police Department, along with other Northeast Ohio law enforcement agencies, will participate in a Helmet Smart program.
The program, sponsored by the American Automobile Association, is set up to promote the use of helmets through positive reinforcement.
Police Chief Lou Ronghi said his officers will issue "safety citations" when they see youngsters properly wearing a helmet.
The citations can be redeemed for free food at participating Domino's Pizza restaurants and discounted tickets to Geauga Lake and its Wildwater Kingdom.
AAA will have drawings through the summer for kids who mail a portion of their citation to the agency, and they will have a chance to win new bicycles and free admission to the amusement park, Ronghi said.
The chief noted that about 85 percent of bicycle fatalities involve a head injury.
Wearing a helmet makes it much less likely that a crash will result in a death, he pointed out.
'Not a toy'
"We want to stress to children and parents alike: A bike is a vehicle, not a toy. Using helmets reduces the risk of brain injury ... and can prevent tragic lifelong consequences," Ronghi noted.
Toward the end of the month, the village will see stepped-up patrols, as part of a national safety program, to ticket motorists who fail to wear seat belts and target impaired drivers, said Councilman Peter D. Sudol, who also heads council's safety committee.
The added random patrols will be out from May 24 to June 3, Sudol noted.
Memorial Day program
In other action, Mayor James Border announced the village's annual Memorial Day program will begin at 1 p.m. May 27 at the Woodland Park Memorial.
Air Force Sgt. David Oesch, a veteran of the war in Iraq, will be guest speaker, and a parade featuring the McDonald High School band will precede the ceremony.
In case of inclement weather, services will be at the Ramsey Memorial Pavilion, Border said.
Also at the session, council approved hiring Deann Howard as a summer swimming instructor.
Among other things, she will conduct a warm-water program at McDonald High School mainly for people with arthritis and other joint problems at a cost of 3 per class, Councilman B.J. Farr said.