October 25, 2007

Pyle sponsors, supports Halloween safety centers

District 10 City Councilmem-ber Nancy Pyle this week announced she has provided a $1,500 HP grant to Safe From the Start San Jose to sponsor and support its annual Halloween safety program and will help in distributing glow necklaces on Halloween evening, Oct. 31, in District 10.

“Safe from the Start San Jose provides an incredible service to our community and I am proud to be a sponsor of this organization’s Halloween safety event. We need to ensure that Halloween is a safe and fun event for all children, from start to end,” Pyle said.

Safe from the Start San Jose’s goal in creating the Halloween safety centers is to increase the safety of children as they celebrate and enjoy the festivities around Halloween. These safety centers are located throughout the city and hosted at the homes of volunteers on Halloween night. A list of safety centers in District 10 will be available on the District 10 Web site (www.sanjoseca.gov/district10) and at Pyle’s table at the Almaden Community Center’s first annual Harvest Festival, Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 6445 Camden Ave.

In addition to serving as a sponsor for the safety event, Pyle will distribute glow necklaces the evening of Oct. 31. Trick-or-treaters can join her from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. at the Almaden Library and Community Center or at Westfield Oakridge’s Safe Trick or Treat event from 5 to 6 p.m. to receive their glow necklace. Continuing its annual tradition, Westfield Oakridge will provide the community with a safe, well-lit indoor venue for trick-or-treating from 5 to 8 p.m. Retailers will be encouraged to participate by passing out candy at their stores. Participating retailers will be listed on a flyer handed out to all trick-or-treaters.

Safe From the Start San Jose, a nonprofit founded in 1998, works to build community in San Jose through a summer nutrition program, a literacy program and a Halloween safety program. The Halloween safety program focuses on making children safer during nighttime trick or treating. It will give out an estimated 30,000 glow necklaces to illuminate children, who are often dressed in dark costumes, for the most dangerous time of Halloween night.

Marcia Coughran, Safe from the Start San Jose’s board president, stated "Safe From the Start San Jose works to bring communities and neighbors together to fight for safety, literacy and against hunger. Our programs meet the needs of communities across San Jose, and we are proud of our contribution."

Statistics show that if eye contact is made between the pedestrian and driver, the majority of accidents can be prevented. This Halloween, child safety awareness will be illuminated by the distribution of the glow necklaces along with safety messages that will encourage families to learn safety measures and implement them when trick or treating on Halloween night.

Children are excited about the new “toys,” and their parents quickly realize the favor a neighbor has done for them. Many safety centers have had neighbors approach and introduce themselves to thank them for giving out the safety equipment on Halloween. To learn more about Safe From the Start San Jose, visit www.Safefromthestartsanjose.org or e-mail mbernier@safefromthestartsanjose.org.

For information on any of the Halloween events, call the District 10 office at (408) 535-4910 or Eric Crane at (408) 535-4993.