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YPD officers trained to recognize unsafe sleeping situations for infants
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Police departments never sleep, and a group that is promoting awareness for safe sleep for infants is counting on that.
Officers on all three turns of the city’s police department Friday received training in recognizing where an infant may be asleep in a situation that could be dangerous to the child’s life.
If an officer sees such a situation, they will leave a card with the baby’s parents or guardians so they can receive a free Pack-N-Play to ensure the baby has a safe place to sleep.
The training was put on by Stephanie Weigel, injury coordinator at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, and Erin Bishop, city health commissioner.
The program is run in part by the Ohio Equity Institute, which monitors infant mortality throughout the state. Mahoning County was picked for the pilot program because it is among nine counties that have the highest infant-mortality rates throughout the state.
Over the course of the year, it is hoped the program can be expanded throughout Trumbull and Columbiana counties as well.
Weigel said Ohio averages three infant deaths each week because they are in a dangerous situation, such as not having a proper crib to sleep in.
Weigel said police officers are a perfect fit for the program to refer people because they often are in homes unexpectedly, and they can observe more natural situations.
City firefighters received the training last week.
“First responders have eyes we’ll never have,” Weigel said.
The police department’s staff inspector Lt. Brian Butler stressed that when officers give the cards to a family, they are only referring the family for help.
Weigel said the program’s only goal is to ensure all infants have a safe place to sleep. “There are absolutely no judgments or repercussions,” Weigel said.
Officers were given pointers such as an infant should be laid in a safe, empty crib with no stuffed animals or even a blanket. Weigel said the pajamas made for infants now keep them warm.
Weigel said the goal is to have the training given to 50 percent of the area’s police and fire departments by the end of this year. She said she could not ask for a better pilot community than Youngstown because community leaders from Mayor John A. McNally on down have been helpful.
“Youngstown leads the way,” Weigel said.