Did You Know...

09-18-08 I am writing my article with some sadness as I know this is my last "official" article for the Independent. I am not averse to doing a guest article now and then or maybe I will drop a letter sometime to address a topic or event. All in all I have had a great time writing my two articles a month and hope that everyone has been able to learn something from my articles or been informed on the various topics. Thank you to everyone who gave me article topics and said so many kind words on my articles. The 3rd and Final 3-Flags Safety Blitz is taking place between September 8th and September 21st. Officers from the VPD will be utilizing State Grant Funds to work overtime for enhanced patrols. VPD officers also participated in two saturation patrols on Highway 30 during two recent concerts at Columbia Meadows. The extra patrols are an effort to reduce DUII's as well as other traffic violations with an emphasis of safety belt and child safety seat usage. With the recent fatal crashes on Hwy 30 and other county roads, enforcement and safety belt use is even more important to enhance safety. I recently received a request for clarification on the new Child Safety Seat use specifications. I have placed a handy chart outside the front window of the police station that shows you, depending on the height and weight of your child, what state law requires. Oregon State Law requires: Infants to ride rear-facing until they reach both one year of age AND twenty pounds; Children over one year old AND between 20 and 40 pounds must be properly secured with a forward-facing child safety seat up to a minimum of 40 pounds; Children over 40 pounds must be properly secured in a booster seat until they are age 8 OR 4'9" in height; Children age 8 or older OR are taller than 4'9" must ride properly secured with the safety belt system. I have placed flyers outside the VPD window with all of this information on them.