The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Safety Town marks at least 47 years in town
Two-week program teaches youngsters life lessons
Vermilion hosted its 47th Safety Town and already is looking forward to next year’s program.
Though Safety Town just celebrated its 47th year, it actually could be older, according to the Vermilion Police Department.
“I believe the program has been around for longer, but that is how far our records go back,” said Safety Town Director Kate Lulovics, who also serves as the communications supervisor for the Vermilion Police Department.
Unlike many surrounding communities, Vermilion’s Safety Town is a twoweek session for area children, said Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer.
The Vermilion Police Department, located at 5791 Liberty Ave., paired up with the Vermilion Fire Department as well as with other agencies to teach the children a wide variety of helpful beginning life lessons.
“The program is dedicated to helping raise safety awareness in our community’s little ones,” Lulovics said.
“We spend a lot of time on each topic and always send each child home with an art project or informational pamphlet so their families can be involved as well.”
The 2020 Safety Town was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While Safety Town only was open to upcoming kindergartners prior to the pandemic, the Police Department decided to broaden the age bracket to include the children who weren’t able to attend in 2020, Lulovics said.
“I received positive feedback from the community, and they were very understanding,” she said. “Normally, the program is only for children going into kindergarten.
“But in 2021 and 2022, I opened it up to anyone that missed due to COVID.”
In 2021, the Police Department had a record number of 96 graduates, Lulovics said.
Now, Safety Town is open to children entering kindergarten as well as first grade, she said.
Additionally, Lulovics considered the busy summer season for parents as the decision was made to include more students.
“Summers are usually busy for families, with vacations and other camps, so opening up for two different age groups makes it so no one misses out,” she said.
Forthofer also said he was pleased with the program.
“As mayor, I am proud of Dispatcher Lulovics and all of the first responders who give of their own personal time for this project,” he said. “It shows how deeply they believe in the safety of our children.
“I also am proud of the parents who take the time to send their kids to Safety Town for two weeks out of the summer. It is a program that sticks with many for life.
“It’s probably the only two-week program around. Quite a few communities no longer even have a Safety Town.”
Both Lulovics and Vermilion Police School Resource Officer Kinzie Chandler teach the lessons.
The program includes speakers, art projects and/ or videos to help the children better understand the safety lessons.
“We also have high school age helpers that are assigned to watch over four to five kids each for the full two weeks,” Lulovics said.
A few of the lessons in the program include: “Police are our friends and cruiser rides” as well as bike safety, street crossing, water safety and tours of emergency service vehicles.
Old fashioned “stranger danger” also is included in the curriculum along with a visit with the Police Department’s K9.
“We had another great year with 66 children graduating (on June 24) and it was Officer Kinzie Chandler’s first year,” Lulovics said. “We look forward to next year and hope to have another great turnout.”
“I also am proud of the parents who take the time to send their kids to Safety Town for two weeks out of the summer. It is a program that sticks with many for life.”
— Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer