School Safety Patrol Students Receive Upgraded Safety Vests from SJ Police and Auto Dealers

    SAN JOSE, Calif.--Oct. 1, 2002--In an effort to increase safety for children walking to school, the Silicon Valley Auto Dealers Association (S.V.A.D.A.) has established a program to provide the San Jose Police Department with funding to purchase and distribute 1,200 new safety vests for school Safety Patrols throughout Santa Clara County.
    The bright fluorescent yellow vests will debut October 2, California Walk to School Day. The improved safety apparel was purchased with a $25,000 donation from the S.V.A.D.A.
    "Our goal is safe streets and safe schools for our children in San Jose," said San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales. "The leadership and generosity of our local auto dealers is an outstanding example of the community spirit that will help us achieve this goal."
    Mark Normandin, President of the 72-member S.V.A.D.A., added that the S.V.A.D.A. would fund the annual purchase of new vests for SJPD distribution throughout Santa Clara County.
    "The safety of children around cars is of paramount concern to everyone," Mark Normandin, President of the S.V.A.D.A. said. "We were looking for a program that would combine car safety and children and were surprised to learn of the need for new school safety equipment."
    Designated as California Walk to School Day by the State Assembly, activities on October 2 throughout the county will seek to focus the attention of students, families, neighbors and community leaders on the importance of teaching pedestrian and bicycling skills, supporting traffic calming measures and the importance of crossing guards.