Before giving way to Officer Chris Woodruff and his dog Zeusa, Roanoke Rapids Police Department Lieutenant Charles Burnette gave children at today’s Be a Safe Student program some helpful summer tips.
“It’s summertime and school’s out,” the lieutenant said. “It’s important your parents know where you’re at all times.”
While children may know their closest neighbors, he encouraged them to not stray too far. “Three or four blocks may be too far out.”
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When playing ball it’s important not to make a wild dash into street to catch a fly ball. “A lot of kids get hit crossing the street. Please, if a ball goes into the street, stop, look both ways. Don’t try to catch it. Your little bodies don’t do well against big, heavy cars.”
Zeusa's favorite toy.
Helmets should be worn while riding bikes and bikes should be ridden with traffic. “When you come to a stop sign, stop.”
When sidewalks are available use them, Burnette cautioned. When they are not the proper thing to do is walk facing traffic.
He implored the children to know both their addresses and phone numbers. “If you call 911 or need the police, they need to know where you live at.”
Woodruff
Burnette then introduced Woodruff and Zeusa, a Belgian Malinois, which the department uses on searches, drug raids and tracking evidence.
