THE 2002 INNOVATION IN GOVERNANCE AWARDS

"Enhancing Safety in Our Communities:

Supporting Documentation
Medford Township

Project H.A.P.P.Y. (Helmets and Police Protecting Youth)

 In the fall of 2000 the Township of Medford embarked on an ambitious campaign to reduce the number of injuries resulting from use of bicycles, roller skates, skateboards and scooters.  At the request of our current Mayor, Walter Urban, the police division was tasked with researching the history of past injuries attributed to failure to wear a helmet.  The research showed that since the adoption of the State bicycle helmet law our injuries had dropped dramatically, however, the burgeoning use of skateboards, rollerblades and scooters increased the potential for injuries to our youth. 

We sought to take the State bicycle law one step further.  The Township became one of the first in the state to enact an ordinance requiring the use of a helmet by persons under age 14 engaged in roller skating, skateboarding and scooter riding.  On

November 9, 2000 the Township Council gave final approval to the new ordinance.

 During the ensuing weeks following adoption of this new ordinance Mayor Walter Urban met with the police division staff to establish a plan to reach out to the youth of our community to educate them to the new ordinance.  After brainstorming the idea Mayor Urban and Lt. Howard Black came up with a winning idea and acronym, "Helmets and Police Protecting Youth", Project H.A.P.P.Y. was born.  Police Officers would "ticket" youth observed wearing a helmet while engaged in proper use of one of the aforementioned wheeled recreational items.  At the same time the officers would reward the desired behavior with an instant coupon, redeemable for a free meal or a video rental.

 All those involved in this program felt that through positive contacts with the targeted age group of children, with a reward for good behavior, it would enhance our already strong relationship with the youth of our community as well reinforce the use of proper safety equipment and proper operation of the wheeled recreational equipment and thereby reduce injuries.

The program was structured to begin with education. A public service announcement was published through the local media and a press conference was held with public officials as well as health care professionals from Virtua Health System.  In addition, 3,700 children in grades K-8 in the public and parochial schools received a personal letter from the Chief of Police advising parents of the initiative, accompanied with a "H.E.L.P." (Helmet Emergency labeling Program) sticker and brochure, along with brochures from AAA promoting Helmet Safety.

Police Division personnel received roll call training on the program and were supplied "HAPPY tickets" to issue to youth wearing their helmets involved in proper operation. These "HAPPY tickets" contained information relative to head injuries on a State and National level.  They also contained spaces for the officers to write the name, address and phone number of each youth they issued a "HAPPY ticket" to.  The youths name's were then placed into a drawing for weekly prizes as well as the Grand Prize (a mountain bike and helmet, one each for a boy and a girl).  Phone calls were made to the parents of youth having had a "contact" by police officers to re-enforce the good behavior and to thank their child for wearing a helmet.

 The program begins on 1 April and continues to the Friday before Memorial Day.  Each Monday during the initiative a Township Official draws the name of a weekly winner.  The weekly winners receive prizes that were donated and/or purchased.  The program culminates in the drawing of the two Grand Prize winners. The Grand Prize winners are then invited to ride with the Mayor in the Annual Memorial Day Parade, at the end of which they are awarded their Grand Prize.

 Project H.A.P.P.Y. brings together many different groups within our community. From the Township Council to the Board of Education, Police Officers, Virtua Health System, small businesses, as well as corporate sponsors such as Blockbuster Video, McDonalds and Burger King.  The partnerships that have been built between all of the involved participants has greatly enhanced our community based initiative.

 Since the first year Project H.A.P.P.Y. was implemented the results have been very positive.  Over 1250 H.A.P.P.Y. tickets have been issued.  In some instances police officers were overwhelmed during their patrols as children swarmed their patrol cars, many officers had to come in and refill their HAPPY ticket books.  The response from the community has been overwhelming.  We have enjoyed the by product of children encouraging their parents to also wear helmets while engaged in cycling or roller blading.  Helmet use has become the norm, instead of the exception in our community. 

In 2002 the program was again a large success.  This program may be easily adapted to any community which seeks to implement it.  There has been no down side to this program, there has been positive impact on everyone in our community.

Medford Township Police Department/Public Safety Building
91 Union Street, Medford, NJ 08055
Dispatch - 654-7511
Citizen Tip Hotline - 714-0302