PARENTS PROVIDED WITH CHILD SAFETY SEATS                                

      BY: ABRAHAM DIAZ

     On Tuesday, November 25, 2008 the Laredo Police Department’s “El Protector” assisted parents in providing them with child safety seats.  The child safety seats are from the Child Safety Seat Distribution and Education Program that is provided through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

     Although this is not the first time that the Laredo Police Department has assisted those in need of a child safety seat, it is the first time that parents had to attend a classroom lecture, which was conducted at the Laredo Public Library’s Main Branch.  Eight families were in attendance along with their children. The lecture included hands on learning of the different types of child safety seats as well as the different parts of the child seat itself.  The parents had several questions and concerns relating to the child seats.  Child seat technicians from the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Migrant Council were also present to assist in this training.

     Once the lecture was over, the parents were taken outside to the parking lot, where it was their turn to demonstrate to the child safety seat technicians how they installed their child safety seats.  At the end of the course, every parent demonstrated the ability to properly install the child safety seat.

     All of the parents were very thankful for the class as well as to the child safety technicians for being there for them in helping understand how to properly install a child safety seat.

     Again, this was the first in a series of classes that will be provided to the community.

     If someone wishes to apply for a child safety seat, the parent must call and set an appointment with Officer Abraham H. Diaz Jr., “El Protector”.  Classes are limited in size.  The telephone number is 956-795-2836.  Further information will be provided when setting up the appointment.