BURLINGTON – Chief Thomas Browne wishes to share that the Burlington Police Department taught about 100 children from Burlington and surrounding communities about bus and bicycle safety during its annual Safety Town at the Burlington Mall.
The Department and Mall have partnered for 50 years to offer Safety Town for children entering kindergarten or first grade. Children ride low-riding tricycles around a child-sized town with crosswalks, street signs, traffic signals and large photographs of Burlington landmarks.
Sgt. Gerry McDonough, Officer David McLean, and Officer Nikolas Saledas taught each class the importance following the signs and signals and looking both ways. They also taught students how to get on and off a school bus, and about proper bus etiquette.
The Department and Mall also hosted a special Caring Safety Town, designed for children on the autism spectrum.
Each child received a certificate, a treat from Shake Shack, and a bag that included the book “A Visit to the Police Station” and small gifts from Burlington Mall retailers.
“Safety Town not only teaches these children, it gives parents and our community a great peace of mind,” said Chief Browne, who attended Safety Town as a child in 1978. “The Department is thankful to the Burlington Mall, which has been a great partner for 50 years and an integral part of our success.”
“We can’t wait for next year’s Safety Town and to continue our partnership with The Burlington Police Department. It was great to see the children peddling around the course and looking out the school bus windows,” said Sheila Hennessy, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Burlington Mall.