(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens, Evidence and Billing Clerk Kacie Parrish, and other Sheriff’s Office staff spent much of Tuesday, July 22, at the Seneca County Fair connecting with local residents, patrolling the grounds, and passing out stickers and small toys to kids. Those connections help the public see the Sheriff’s Office staff for who they are – caring, compassionate law enforcement personnel who want nothing more than to keep the public safe.

Some people get frustrated by traffic tickets because they feel they are being punished for what they perceive as a small offence. But road deputies with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office frequently respond to tragic automobile accidents and have seen firsthand how high speeds, distracted driving, and failing to wear seatbelts can mean the difference between minor injury and death.

For them, a ticket isn’t a punishment. It’s a reminder to motorists to do the little things that help them get home safely to their families each night.

On Tuesday, Deputy Christopher Potter visited the Seneca County Fair to remind fairgoers about traffic safety. He set up a stand outside the Sheriff’s building and talked to adults and kids about being safe in the car.

Deputy Potter’s project was made possible by an Ohio Traffic Safety Office grant which funded 24 hours of traffic safety education.

“It’s to promote traffic safety, and what better place than the Seneca County Fair?” he said.

Deputy Potter was focusing on the importance of wearing seatbelts. He gave bottles of bubbles and posters to kids who stopped by to hear his safety talk.

“It’s hard to get an adult to put a seatbelt on, but when a kid tells their parent to put it on, they will,” Deputy Potter said. “If we can get to the kids, they’ll pass it along to the parents.”

His talks helped kids understand the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

“It keeps you safe in a car crash,” said eight-year-old Riley King.

Eight-year-old Chelsea Glick thought of another reason she wants to always wear a seatbelt.

“You could fall out,” she said.

The kids that stopped by the booth had fun listening to Deputy Potter’s speech on traffic safety, especially nine-year-old Vaness Glick.

“He’s funny,” Vanessa said.