Mower County Safe Communities Coalition (MCSCC) exists to keep Mower County residents safe on the road. Current membership includes representatives from Law Enforcement, non-profit agencies, child care, public health (CPS Advocate/Technician), the medical community, parents, youth, business, the City of Austin, area schools, corrections, the county attorney's office and members of the faith community.

Throughout the past five years of existence, the coalition has utilized multiple strategies in its campaign to increase seat belt use, reduce drunk driving and reduce the number of traffic crashes in Mower County. Strategies for the current grant year include media campaigns, information dissemination, youth-focused activities and community events.

The MCSCC has identified five top traffic safety issues through state and local data analysis: 1) Drinking and Driving by Mower County Residents, including youth, 2) seat belt use, with an emphasis on passenger use, 3) Speed, 4) Distracted Driving, and 5) Scooter safety.

To meet the goals and objectives the Safe Communities Coalition will implement a variety of activities and events including:

• Halloween Fun Night, October 31, 2007 at the Oak Park Mall
• Making Spirits Bright, A Christmas in the City event on November 23, 2007 in downtown Austin
• "Week of the Young Child" event in April, 2008 at the Oak Park Mall
• Mower County Fair in August, 2008 at the Mower County Fairgrounds
• "Hometown Heroes" event in August, 2008 at the Todd Park baseball complex
• "Cultural Heritage Festival" in August, 2008 at the Band Shell Park.

Other activities include youth involvement such a Scooter Campaign and Cell Phone/Distracted Driving Campaign. Collaboration with local Law Enforcement includes October Seat Belt Wave, December DWI Wave, April Speed Wave, May Mobilization Seat Belt Wave and July Impaired Driving Wave.

For further information contact the Mower County Safe Communities Coordinator at the Parenting Resource Center at 507-437-8330.