Young Students Learn About Safety At OPP Detachment
Officer Rollie Smith discuses bicycle safety with the kids, this was just one of many safety issues he covered during their visit. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
Students listen intently as Constable Rollie Smith reminds them of safe bicycling practices and demonstrates proper helmet fit. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Kindergarten and Grade 1 students from Ecole Publique Franco-Manitou, with their teacher Mme. Tina and a parent volunteer, visited the Manitouwadge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police this week as part of their Social Studies.
Constable Rollie Smith and Sergeant John Hatch, took the opportunity during the students tour of the detachment, to sit and talk about safety with the kids. They covered a variety of topics that are currently relevant to the kids from bicycle safety, to the importance of PFDs while boating to personal safety and booster seats. The subject matter was kept fun and interactive. The 4-7 year olds enjoyed Constable Smith personally demonstrating proper bicycle helmet fit and providing them with an OPP PFD to check out and compare with those they wear in warmer months. Two students were even assisted in providing a breath sample as the workings of a common police tool – the breathalyzer – were demystified for the students when discussing the importance of staying sober behind the wheel. The dangers of drinking and driving are part of a lesson that will be practical to the young people soon enough as in Ontario kids can legally drive snowmobiles as young as 13 and automobiles as young as 16 though under Canada’s Criminal Code and Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act there are zero-tolerance laws that require drivers under 21 years of age to provide a zero-alcohol level breathalyzer sample if tested by police.
This Grade 1 student found the breathalyzer challenging but managed a successful sample showing a zero-alcohol level. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
The tour wrapped up with some discussions about the differences between the consequences of children making bad choices and those for an adult making bad decisions a serious topic that was made a bit lighter for the students as their teacher was cuffed and locked in a cell while the students were brought to see her in the surveillance cameras before helping the officers to release her.
Prior to walking back to school the group of 8 students had one last adventure as the entire group loaded into the police suburban and its lights and sirens were turned on – judging by the smiles a highlight of the visit for many.
Mme. Tina and her class thanked the officers for the informative and fun afternoon and set out on their walk back to school better prepared to stay safe in their day-to-day lives.
MORE INFO
- Learn more about the Ontario Provincial Police, the work they do and even how civilians can be involved
- Learn more about public French language education in Northwestern Ontario
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- Students listen intently as Constable Rollie Smith reminds them of safe bicycling practices and demonstrates proper helmet fit. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
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- Officer Rollie Smith discuses bicycle safety with the kids, this was just one of many safety issues he covered during their visit. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
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- This Grade 1 student found the breathalyzer challenging but managed a successful sample showing a zero-alcohol level. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com
