GC Police Help Launch “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” Campaign





Inspector Kenneth Jackson (second from left) and Detective Richard Pedone, one of the Garden City Police Department, helped to launch AAA's

Inspector Kenneth Jackson (second from left) and Detective Richard Pedone, one of the Garden City Police Department, helped to launch AAA’s “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign at AAA New York in Garden City with (left to right) Amanda and Julia Grimes. Mark Kulewicz, Director of Safety, represented AAA at the ceremony.

With area schools opening shortly, Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo reports that the Garden City Police Department will be helping the Automobile Club of New York launch its annual “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign by mounting colorful traffic safety posters in the Garden City Police Department and around the community. These posters are to help alert drivers to be extra careful as thousands of local youngsters return to school.

Commissioner Cipullo states “Each year the Automobile Club of New York counts on the cooperation of local Police Departments to make the ‘School’s Open-Drive Carefully’ program a success. Soon, thousands of students, many for the first time, will be walking to and from schools and school buses. The Garden City Police Department recognizes the value of the ‘School’s Open’ campaign in helping to keep our young people safe.” The Automobile Club’s annual program is conducted with local government and police agencies. Special posters, banners, bumper stickers and other educational material are distributed throughout the program.

Inspector Kenneth Jackson and Detective Richard Pedone mounted a colorful “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” poster at AAA New York in Garden City on August 14 to help alert drivers to be extra careful as thousands of local youngsters return to school.

“Each year, we count on assistance from the local police departments to ensure the success of our ‘School’s Open’ program,” said Donna Galasso, assistant director of the Club’s Traffic Safety unit. “We’re grateful that Inspector Jackson and Detective Pedone recognizing the program’s safety benefits for local students and have participated in this important traffic safety campaign,” said Galasso.

Commissioner Cipullo urges drivers to slow down when driving in school areas and to be prepared to stop for school buses with flashing red lights, as New York State law requires. Commissioner Cipullo also urges parents to teach their children to look all ways before crossing the street, to cross the road only at crosswalks or at corners, to never chase anything out into the street, watch for turning cars and to obey all police officers, crossing guards and traffic signals. Students should be especially alert during bad weather.

The safety and protection of our community’s children is one of our primary concerns especially during the school year. The Garden City Police Department wants all children and their families to have a safe and enjoyable school year.



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