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Parents, children encouraged to write safety messages on sidewalk for back to school

Police want you to decorate your sidewalk with safety messages to remind students and parents to be safe as students return to school.

Initiative 'a fun way' to get students, parents talking about safety

CBC News ·
A Waterloo Regional Police officer puts a safety message on a sidewalk near a crosswalk ahead of students going back to school. (WRPS)

Before students pound the pavement as they head back to school, police would like everyone to do a little art on the sidewalks.

Parents, caregivers and children are being encouraged to write safety messages in sidewalk chalk to remind students to be aware of their surroundings and to remind their parents and caregivers — who may be driving later — to be careful on the roads.

"On the first day of school the kids can walk with their parents and caregivers and read these messages together," Cherri Greeno, spokesperson for Waterloo Regional Police, told CBC News of the new initiative Walk the Chalk.

Messages include things like "look both ways," "stop, look, listen" and "slow down." 

Safety messages can be anything to keep students safe, including slow down and don't talk to strangers. (WRPS)

"[Parents] have a responsibility as well to be safe and to slow down and watch out for children as we get back to school time."

Greeno said this is a fun way to get the message out and people are getting on board, sending them photos of Walk the Chalk.

"We just wanted to come up with a fun way to get neighbourhoods and the community together to talk about safety," she said.

"Parents really are going out with their kids and they're writing really neat messages."

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