Safe Walk Volunteers are dedicated, and their numbers continue to grow. The program has received interest and approval from California State Senator Pete Knight, California State Assemblyman George Runner, and United States Congressman Buck McKeon. The project was on exhibit at the Los Angeles Contract Cities Sheriff s and City Manager s Conference in January 1998, and the California Office of Transportation and Safety Conference in Sacramento in February 1998, at the May 1998 California Contract Cities Conference in Palm Springs, California. The City of Lancaster provides funding for signs, vests and caps for volunteers. Students and parents alike find comfort in seeing the uniformed volunteers in place.
Volunteers are excited about the valuable service they provide.
Although results are difficult to measure, we believe the volunteer presence has indeed suppressed dangerous activities, such as speeding, illegal parking, gang and narcotic activity, and loitering around school grounds. One Safe Walk Volunteer noticed two boys walking to school carrying a handgun. His alert observation and timely notification of Sheriff s personnel led to the capture of the students and recovery of a stolen .357 magnum pistol.