Editor's note: the following is from Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore

( MSC News)---In the spirit of Halloween, the Hiawatha Police Department will be participating in a statewide push for seat belt law compliance around our local schools from October 31st through November 4th. Officers will be focusing on proactive enforcement of seat belt and car seat compliance to make everyone safer.

Not only will the officers be enforcing the laws by citing non-compliant occupants they will also have treats which they may share with compliant occupants they may come into contact with while doing this proactive enforcement. The treats are being provided from a generous sponsorship from Ryan Meininger’s State Farm Insurance office in Hiawatha.

According to the 2016 Kansas observational seatbelt survey, children are much more likely to be buckled up if the driver is wearing their seat belt. If the driver is buckled, about 96% of the children are restrained. If the driver is not buckled, only about 27% of the observed children were buckled. We want adults to model good driving behaviors for children. Chief Defore says, “Even one child’s death is unacceptable. Please slow down, especially in school zones, eliminate the distractions, and always buckle up.”

With this special enforcement we look forward to having many positive contacts with the public to encourage compliance with motor vehicle restraint laws. The Hiawatha Police Department wishes to thank Ryan Meininger’s State Farm for providing the treats to share with those who are buckled up.