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Lima police report: DARE, Safety City and summer academy served hundreds of children
Summary
Officer Merkel told the council that DARE enrolled about 328 students this year and Safety City hosted 51 field trips serving roughly 1,714 children; councilors praised the programs and thanked staff and community partners.
Officer Merkel of the Lima Police Department presented the DARE and Safety City report to the Lima City Council, outlining program activity and community partnerships. "Rad Kids is a 13 week program" Merkel said, and summarized a series of events and field trips that reached local students. She reported 328 students in DARE this year and said Safety City hosted 51 field trips that brought about 1,714 children through its April and May sessions.
Merkel described program elements including stranger awareness, self-protection strategies, bicycle and fire safety, a "survival life house" simulation and call-911 training. She said Safety City's open house attracted a large turnout (her estimate ranged from "200, 300" to community anecdotes of thousands), and she credited partners such as local businesses, the Optimists, UNOH, area fire and sheriff departments, and specialized vendors who provided demonstrations and rides.
Council members praised the outreach. Councilor Thompson said, "You love your community," and added that Merkel's sustained work was evident; Councilor Wilkerson thanked Merkel for his commitment. The council noted the DARE lunch and essay program recognizing student winners across schools.
Councilors asked no substantive policy questions during the presentation; the council thanked Officer Merkel and the Public Safety staff for program delivery.
