AAA Launches New Safety Patrol Program at Gompers Elementary/Middle School in Detroit

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-six students at Gompers Elementary/Middle School in Northwest Detroit are now on patrol at the new school which has nearly 1,000 students who must cross busy streets and board buses.  The newest AAA Michigan Safety Patrollers on duty morning and afternoon join the proud tradition of AAA Safety Patrollers dating back to 1919, when the first AAA Safety Patrol was launched in Detroit – the first in the nation.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110321/CL67889LOGO )

The Gompers AAA Safety Patrollers, from sixth to eighth graders, have been trained to protect fellow students.  The dedicated young men and women join 1,464 fellow AAA safety patrollers in Detroit and more than 33,000 AAA Safety patrollers across Michigan who are at their post throughout the school year.

Clad in the familiar bright yellow-green AAA Safety Patrol belt, the students demonstrate responsibility, good citizenship and the satisfaction of helping to ensure the safety of fellow students.  The students were trained by AAA traffic safety experts earlier this month.  The "official" launch of the new patrol program included a brief assembly for the students, who were treated to hot chocolate, commemorative mugs, gloves, hats and scarves, at the school, located at 14500 Burt Road in Northwest Detroit's Brightmoor community.

"With students from pre-school age through eighth-grade, traffic safety was a key concern for us," noted Gompers School Principal Bobbie Posey. "We were pleased with the training AAA provided to our new patrollers and we are proud of our students who stand guard every day to help fellow students."

Jack Peet, AAA Traffic Safety Manager, added, "Traffic safety has been our hallmark for nearly a century.  When we heard about this new school opening, we were ready to provide training to help all students be safer. We also work with the Adult Crossing Guards at the school – together, we are working to ensure students are safer as they travel to and from school."

For nearly a century, AAA Michigan has had a strong heritage of helping with traffic safety efforts and giving back to communities.  AAA Michigan employees have volunteered at the Brightmoor Community for several years, including working with the community on such traffic safety efforts as vehicle maintenance checks and child booster seat safety inspections.  AAA employees have also provided VIN (vehicle identification number etching) services and cleaned Brightmoor's Eliza Howell Park.  Last summer, more than 125 employees worked with community members to build a KaBoom! playground at the park for the enjoyment of some 2,000 children who now have a place to play outdoors.  AAA has recently "adopted" the park for a three-year period.

AAA.com

SOURCE AAA Michigan