Safeco Donates Cones, Flags Safety Devices Will Be Used Around Schools

Children crossing the street around Spokane County’s elementary schools should be a little safer this year.

A Spokane insurance company donated $10,000 so the county Sheriff’s Department can buy traffic safety cones and flags for speed limit signs at county elementary schools.

School districts to be included are: Central Valley, East Valley, West Valley, Mead, Riverside, Nine Mile and Deer Park.

“Anything that just draws drivers’ attention” to the crosswalks would make a big difference, said Joe Dawson, transportation director at West Valley.

If the cones and flags are out at all the elementary schools, it will provide a more constant reminder to drivers to slow down, Dawson said.

The new safety equipment should be in place by March 1, said sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Finke, who’s in charge of traffic safety programs for the Sheriff’s Department.

Putting out cones and flags helps the department take a pro-active stance to traffic safety, Finke said, instead of merely sending deputies out to write tickets.

After numerous conversations with schools safety officials about the need for safer crosswalks, Finke sent letters to Spokane insurance companies requesting money for the safety equipment.

“We didn’t have the funds for that (in the Sheriff’s Department budget),” said Finke, who wanted to find money for the project “to make drivers aware that there’s a school zone coming up.”

Research by the Sheriff’s Department has shown a marked decrease in speed of drivers when cones are out, he said.

Safeco Insurance Co. responded to Finke’s request in November and asked to be the sole sponsor of the safety program, Finke said.

On Monday, Safeco presented a check for $10,000 to Sheriff John Goldman.

As sponsor, Safeco’s name will be listed on the cones and in safety pamphlets.

“It’ll be a real boost to safety for children,” Finke said.

“It’s a very nice gesture on their part.”

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