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Smyrna proclaims April 2025 National Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlights pinwheel garden at police department
Summary
Mayor and Council issued a proclamation recognizing April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Crime Victims Rights Week and highlighted a pinwheel garden installed outside the Smyrna Police Department to raise awareness.
The Mayor and Council of the City of Smyrna formally proclaimed April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and recognized April 2025 as National Crime Victims Rights Week.
Mayor Derek Norton presented the proclamation and Councilwoman Hines read the recognition, citing the importance of community partnerships in prevention and noting that “prevention remains the best defense of our children and families.” The proclamation referenced national reporting figures for child protective services in federal fiscal year 2021, noting that “3.9 million reports were made to Child Protective Services” as presented in the meeting.
Irene Barton of the Cobb Collaborative spoke about a pinwheel garden placed in front of a statue at the Smyrna Police Department as a visible reminder of community support for children. “The pinwheels represent what childhood should be all about, which is a time of whimsy and play and not being concerned about the adults in your life being anything other than those safe and trusted, champions and advocates of children,” Barton said. She noted the pinwheels and a plaque near the police department statue and offered pinwheels to council members to help raise awareness.
Council members and staff thanked local faith partners; Mayor Norton acknowledged Pastor Dyke Verkirk of Life Church Assembly of God for leading the invocation and the congregation’s community work. Councilwoman Hines described the work of victim‑protection professionals and noted that Prevent Child Abuse Georgia has rebranded as Positive Childhood Alliance, reflecting a shift toward upstream prevention and family support.
The proclamation is a formal recognition and does not in itself create new programs or funding. City staff and community partners present offered to help promote local events and outreach, and council members encouraged residents to participate in prevention efforts and community resources.
