Sheriff Golden Stresses the Importance of Child Safety Through Seek 9-1-1 Program

Allentown: Sheriff Shaun Golden continues to educate children about 9-1-1 and teach them how to dial the emergency number properly, through the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office SEEK (Sheriff’s Emergency Education for Kids) 9-1-1 program. On May 15, first graders from the Newell Elementary School in Allentown were presented with SEEK 9-1-1, which is offered to elementary schools throughout Monmouth County.

“The importance of using the 9-1-1 emergency call number is vital to public safety,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “That’s why the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office travels throughout the county to teach children how to get help quickly by dialing 9-1-1 for their own safety and for their families.”

The SEEK 9-1-1 program includes a fun video featuring animated characters who learn how the 9-1-1 system works. Instructors who conduct the program through the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office gives the students an overview of when to dial 9-1-1, and, provides them with a hands on interactive session using telephone simulators to role play various emergency scenarios. Scenarios include what happens when a child hangs up without speaking to a 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicator, handling an injury, what to do if you are home alone and see a prowler and when it is not appropriate to call 9- 1-1.

The Monmouth County 9-1-1 Communications Center serves 50 agencies, which includes 47 municipalities, Brookdale Community College, Monmouth University and Naval Weapons Station Earle and receives approximately 2,000 calls per day. A large percentage of the 9-1-1 calls received are wrong numbers, prank calls, hang-ups or non-emergencies. During the presentation, SEEK 9-1-1 instructors emphasize the appropriate times to call 9-1-1 and when other non-emergency phone numbers should be used.

“The Sheriff’s Office is committed to safety and youth education and we’re proud to make the SEEK 9- 1-1 program available to the Newell Elementary School,” said Sheriff Golden. “It’s important for students and adults to remember to SEEK 9-1-1 during an emergency.”

For a downloadable version of this press release, click here: News Release – MCSO Presents SEEK 9-1-1 to Elementary School in Allentown