Dozens of first graders from Vancouver, Evergreen and Ridgefield school districts and local homeschool groups attended the Safety City event this week, hosted at the Washington State Department of Transportation headquarters in Vancouver on Thursday, May 8. The event was a collaborative effort organized by the Washington State Patrol, the Police Activities League of SW Washington, WSDOT and the Clark County Target Zero Taskforce.
The program featured interactive safety stations designed to teach young students everything from crosswalk etiquette to emergency preparedness. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Ridgefield, Battle Ground and Vancouver police departments, along with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, volunteered their time to help run the event. Waste Connections, the event’s primary sponsor, provided a recycling truck for live demonstrations.
“It’s pretty exciting for the kids,” Ridgefield Police Chief Cathy Doriot, who volunteered to lead groups of students, said. “They get to have fun. They’re moving around. It’s very engaging, and I think they’re going to love that and learn some great lessons to keep them safe.”
