Due to shrinking budgets, the Turlock Police Department was at risk of losing its car seat exchange program. But the MedicAlert Foundation came to the rescue.
The program was established to provide or replace car seats for families financially unable to purchase proper safety seats.
Grants previously funded the program, but those grants have begun to disappear due to shrinking budgets. That’s when MedicAlert stepped in.
MedicAlert donated 32 new, high-quality car seats valued at more than $1,900 to the Turlock Police Department after they found out about the dilemma.
“The car seat exchange program would’ve ended for the Turlock area had it not been for the MedicAlert Foundation,” said Traffic Safety Unit Supervisor Sgt. Neil Cervenka. “Thank you, MedicAlert Foundation, for helping keep children in our community safe.”
Turlock Police Chief Robert Jackson formally accepted the donation from executive members of MedicAlert on Tuesday.
The car seat exchange program’s sole focus is the safety and protection of children in motor vehicles. Several members of the Turlock Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit are trained safety seat technicians who can install seats, diagnose deficiencies and train parents in the proper use of child safety seats.
For more information on the car seat exchange program, contact the Traffic Safety Unit at 209-668-5550 ext. 6680.
