AWARD-WINNING SAFETY CITY WRAPS UP 1995

JACKSON -- When Beverly Nelson looks through this year's snapshots of Safety City, U.S.A., her face glows with pride.

The pictures show lots of children -- most of them sitting on bicycles, all of them wearing helmets. Other shots are of Jackson Noon Optimist members and police officers teaching bicycle safety.

Little wonder Nelson is so proud. Her club has used Safety City to educate 1,029 children since it opened in May 1992. Participants learned to wear a helmet every time they ride their bikes, to obey traffic laws and to always ride on the right side of the road.

And because of the helmets given each child who participates in organized classes in May and June, a boy who accidentally went over an embankment during a group trail ride this year ended up with a broken helmet instead of a broken head.

"Injuries from accidents are the leading risk facing our children today," Nelson said. "The goal of the Noon Optimist Club is to reduce the number of children who suffer from preventable injuries."

The Noon Optimists got the idea for Safety City in February 1992 after hearing a speech by Cape Girardeau's community traffic safety officer. A few days after the program, Beverly Nelson talked about the club's plans for a small-scale road system to city employee Rodney Bollinger, who volunteered to sketch the miniature town.

She also spoke to Bob Johnson of Lappe Construction, who insisted Nelson and he should gather volunteers interested in helping with the project.

The Jackson Park Board agreed to donate land in the city park to the Safety City Committee. By May 10, 1992, a concrete roadway, 1,300 feet long and 8 feet wide, had been constructed and the landscaping done. There were road markings and traffic signs, too.

That year, the Jackson Noon Optimists were honored by Optimist International for having the best community project in the world. In 1993, they received one of 10 honor awards presented in the United States by the National Safety Council.

Parents may bring their children out any time and teach them bicycle safety at Safety City, U.S.A., but the Optimists conduct organized classes in May and June for $7 a child. The price includes a bicycle helmet.

This year was a busy one for the Optimists as they conducted special classes for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. In April, they put Safety City tray liners on 4,000 trays at Jackson Burger King.

Their most recent safety education effort was Aug. 27 at Jackson Middle School's open house.

"With the carefree days of summer coming to an end, we were reminded of the back-to-school season," Nelson said. "Children need to be reminded of some very important safety guidelines."

About the only problem with Safety City has been vandalism done by older children. At first, they took stop signs, so Optimists had the signs soldered to the poles, which were set in concrete.

Now the vandals seem more interested in Safety City's American flag, but Nelson said the club is looking for ways to protect it.

With or without the flag, however, Noon Optimists plan to keep Safety City going as long as children can have accidents.