DI Safety Patrol needs volunteers to avoid shutdown

Without a surge of new volunteers, organizers of the Daniel Island Safety Patrol say they will have to put the brakes on the eight month-old program.

The effort was first launched by the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association (DINA) in May of 2016, in response to increasing concerns about traffic safety in areas surrounding the Daniel Island School. In addition to the creation of a new school zone safety plan, a Safety Patrol was assembled to staff the intersection identified as having the highest risk – Daniel Island Drive and Pierce Street, where a DIS student was hit by a car just over a year ago. A number of volunteers signed up to help with the effort, making it possible for the program to cover both arrival and dismissal times. But in the months that have followed, their numbers have dwindled and soon they will be unable to keep the intersection fully staffed.

“We have lost quite a few volunteers to moves and changes in circumstances,” said Daniel Island resident Carina Buckman, who has helped lead the effort with fellow DINA member Maria Delcioppo. “So we’re down to approximately 10 active volunteers consistently signing up. This means some volunteers are having to do three or four shifts a week to keep the program going, which isn’t sustainable.”

At full operation, the Daniel Island Safety Patrol needs to cover 20 shifts each week, with two volunteers manning the intersection for about 20 minutes, morning and afternoon, five days a week. They are currently looking for volunteers to commit to one or two shifts a week. That means they need about 10 more people to join the Safety Patrol so the program can continue.

“It’s been running since last May and seems to be loved by all, kids and parents alike,” added Buckman. “DINA would hate to have to shut it down due to lack of volunteers! With one shift a week, it’s minimal effort with huge reward – a safe environment for kids to walk and cycle to school!”

Buckman hopes community members will consider joining the Safety Patrol team.

“Much work has been done by the Daniel Island Neighborhood Association and the Daniel Island School to improve safety but much opportunity remains,” she said. “At the end of the day, safety education and maintaining a safe school zone comes down to parents and residents. Since we know we can’t eliminate all risk, DINA hopes to maintain the Safety Patrol at the highest risk intersection on the approach to Daniel Island School...What’s more important than keeping our kids safe?”

If community support hasn’t improved by the end of February, the Safety Patrol program will be shut down after Spring Break, which begins on April 3. In the event that happens, DINA would ensure that parents are made aware of the upcoming change and given ample time to talk with their kids about the safest route to school, said Buckman.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Safety Patrol can contact Buckman at buckman_c@yahoo.com.