STAFF WRITER

The safety of Santa Maria children was the main topic Thursday night at the Atkinson Community Center in the first in a series of three community meetings in the next two months.

A bilingual panel of Community Outreach Coordinator Rosie Narez, Santa Maria Police Department Cpl. Elijio Lara and Santa Maria Fire Department Engineer Victor Gutierrez fielded questions about the police department's emphasis on bike helmets and other safety issues from an audience of about 40 residents, made up mostly of English as a Second Language students from a nearby class.

In a presentation, Santa Maria Police Officer Todd Logan said police have begun a campaign to enforce bicycle helmet laws for children 18 and younger. The mandatory helmet law applies to bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates and scooters, he said. From 2005 to 2007, there were 68 reported bicycle accidents in Santa Maria, and two were fatal, Logan said.

One speaker told Gutierrez there is a need for classes in Spanish on disaster preparedness.

The meetings are the groundwork for the city's Recreation and Parks Department Neighborhood Block Captain Program to develop community participation in city government and address community needs and issues. It will be the duty of a block captain to serve as a “go-to person” for questions on community issues and to help people find city services.

Narez said the meetings are meant to gather information and feedback before preparing a presentation to the City Council on the program intended to “bring people together” and make city services accessible.

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The remaining meetings are scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on:

n Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 E. Park Ave.

n Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Drive.

For more information, call Narez at 925-0951, Ext. 414.

Julian J. Ramos can be reached at 739-2219 or at jramos@santamariatimes.com.

August 29, 2008