DIS Safety Patrol to be back in action for start of new school year

The Daniel Island Safety Patrol will begin its second year of service when the new school year kicks off on Aug. 17 for Berkeley County students.

The volunteer-led effort, coordinated through the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association (DINA), was launched as a pilot program in May of 2016 in response to several accidents and near misses involving kids and cars, including a collision between a student biker and a vehicle in a crosswalk.

Clyde Rush, DINA president, reports that the group is ready to serve the community once again.

“We are a busy island with residents having a number of priorities they want to accomplish each day,” he said. “Sometimes in our haste to complete those priorities we forget to pay attention to children crossing our streets either by foot or on bicycles. Having the Safety Patrol helps to remind us that one of our most important priorities is the safety of all children on the island.”

“The sole goal of the DINA Safety Patrol is to assist children to cross the road safely,” added Carina Buckman, DINA School Safety Subcommittee Project Manager.

As before, the Safety Patrol will assist walkers and bikers at the crosswalks located at the intersection of Daniel Island Drive and Pierce Street, near the Daniel Island School. The success of the pilot program, and the first full year of service during the 2016-2017 school year, have left organizers confident the group is making a difference.

“Both parents and children appreciated the assistance children received crossing Daniel Island Drive – one of our busiest streets,” added Rush. “However, the real success of the Safety Patrol is that there was not a single incident involving a vehicle and a child at any intersection manned by the Safety Patrol.”

According to Buckman, the beginning of the school year is the perfect time to review safe practices as a family. She recommends parents talk with children about the rules of the road and plan out their safest route to school.

“For safety, it’s best to cross Daniel Island Drive at the crosswalks in front of Daniel Island School, as these are supervised by school staff and the School Resource Officer…We hope DINA Safety Patrol will continue, but if short staffed or shut down, crossing at the school is much safer!”

To ensure that the Safety Patrol program continues to operate smoothly, volunteers are needed. The team will need a total of 15 volunteers who can commit to at least one 15 minute shift per week (shift times are 7:30 - 7:45 a.m. and 2:45 - 3 p.m.).

“We have about five active volunteers continuing,” said Buckman. “So we will need 10-15 more to maintain the program…Helping with just one shift a week is a huge help! If you already drop off or pick up kids, helping can easily be incorporated into your routine, adding minimal time to your day.”

“Volunteers can be parents, grandparents, retired residents, etc,” added Rush. “Ask yourself a simple question – is it worth 15 minutes of my time each week to ensure that children can safely cross Daniel Island Drive? If your answer is yes, please volunteer.”

To volunteer, or for more information, please send an email to Buckman at buckman_c@yahoo.com.