2012 Safe Communities Slow Down Yard Sign Campaign Kick-Off Monday, May 7

Representatives from the Madison Police Department and Safe Communities will address the recent spike in pedestrian crashes and outline steps for both drivers and pedestrians to have a safer summer at an informational event on Monday, May 7 at the corner of Monroe and Knickerbocker Streets (parking lot of Bluephie’s Restaurant, 2701 Monroe Street) at 10:00 a.m.

This is also the kick-off of the annual Safe Communities Slow Down Yard Sign campaign, and representatives from the Dudgeon/Monroe Street neighborhood, a group that partnered with Safe Communities to bring pedestrian flags to Dane County, will also be in attendance.

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Safe Communities Announces Action Steps from January Poison Summit

On April 23, 2012 Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Mayor Paul Soglin announced Safe Communities Drug Poison Summit initial action steps including:

• More than doubling MedDrop boxes
• Focusing on prescription practices
• Improving primary prevention and
• Establishing a steering committee

Over 130 people representing health care, law enforcement, courts, education and counseling gathered for the full-day Summit at the end of January. Priorities were set in six strategy areas to address the county’s growing drug poisoning problem. Last year poisoning deaths became the county’s number one cause of injury-related death, killing more Dane County residents than automobile crashes.

“Safe Communities has gathered a strong team of professionals to take on the issue of drug poisoning. We’re not alone with this problem – but we’ve laid out a unique approach – and I applaud everyone who has come to the table,” says Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “We’re definitely leading the way and others hope to learn from our efforts.” The six strategy areas illustrate the complexity of this issue, say Mayor Paul Soglin “It’s important that we set goals but we’ve been warned this problem will not be solved overnight. Our immediate goal is to stop the growth.” “Drug poisoning is an issue that affects us all,” says Cheryl Wittke, Safe Communities Executive Director. “We are fortunate so many have stepped up and are willing to dedicate time and expertise to solve this issue. We’re continuing to reach out to make sure we include that no one is missing.”

More details on Drug Poisoning Initiative: Stop the Drug Overdose Epidemic next steps.

To dispose of leftover medicines, view MedDrop locations.

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Cambridge High School focuses on driver safety

Partners with Safe Communities to bring Alive at 25 to campus

Car crashes are the number one cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 24. Cambridge High School is committed to keeping its students safe when they are behind the wheel. On Saturday, April 14, students will have the opportunity to take Safe Communities’ Alive at 25, an early intervention program developed by the National Safety Council to prevent traffic violations, collisions, and fatalities. 

Alive at 25 takes driver education to the next level by giving young drivers and passengers tools to deal with risky situations in cars with peers. The focus is on behaviors that young drivers exhibit behind the wheel, and making students aware of the personal, legal and financial consequences of those actions.

According to a 2011 research study conducted by the Colorado State Patrol, youth who completed the Alive at 25program were seven times less likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than non-participants. 
Alive at 25is offered locally through a partnership between Safe Communities, local law enforcement and CESA#2, the organization responsible for Cambridge’s Driver’s Education course.

Click here to register, or to get information on how you can bring Alive at 25 to your school!

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Partners On Board to Stop the Drug Overdose Epidemic

Safe Communities is honored that Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin have included funds in their 2012 executive budgets for Safe Communities to coordinate an initiative to stop heroin and prescription drug overdoses. > read more

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MedDrop Events Remove 3,400 lbs of Medicines!

MedDrop drop boxes in Middleton and Madison East and MedDrop collection events have safely removed 3,400 pounds of medicines from area households between July 15 and October 22, 2011. > read more