The SAUSD and the City of Santa Ana present a pedestrian and bike safety contest

CONTACT: SAUSD, Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer, (714) 673-4995

CONTACT: CITY OF SANTA ANA, Tanya Lyon, Strategic Communications Mgr., (714) 647-5209

CITY OF SANTA ANA & SAUSD PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT A PEDESTRIAN & BIKE SAFETY CONTEST

SANTA ANA, CA (March 4, 2015) – Two lucky students in the Santa Ana Unified School District will have their artwork showcased throughout the City of Santa Ana bus shelters as they celebrate being the grand prize winners of a pedestrian and bicycle safety poster contest conducted jointly by the City of Santa Ana and the Santa Ana Unified School District.

“Pedestrian and Bicycle safety remains one of the City’s highest priorities. This is a great opportunity for the City to partner with the Santa Ana Unified School District and help raise awareness and improve the safety for all residents,” said City of Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido.

“As the fourth highest density city in the nation, this initiative is of particular importance to our community. Many members of our community walk or bike to and from work, home or school. Improving safety for all of our road users is a high priority and a great opportunity for the City and the school district to expand on the good work already being done by our committed community, staff and city council,” said Councilwoman Michele Martinez.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities have been on the rise in recent years and now represent nearly 17 percent of total roadway fatalities nationwide.

The contest is designed to bring awareness to such an important issue and will be based on the following themes:

· Drive with care. Walk aware.

· Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer.

· Be Safe. Be Smart. Be Seen. Make sure drivers can see you.

“This partnership truly underscores our belief that we have a shared responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of our community, said Hector Rodriguez, Ed.D., Santa Ana Unified School District Chief of Police.

Beginning March 4, 2015, all elementary, middle and high school students in the Santa Ana Unified School District will have the opportunity to put their creative talents to work and design posters based on any one of the three themes. A selection committee with representatives from the City and District will narrow the submissions to the top three in two categories –

elementary and secondary (middle and high school participants). All of the finalist’s artwork will be showcased on the City of Santa Ana’s Facebook page and the Santa Ana Unified School District Facebook page for public voting. The artwork with the most likes in the elementary and secondary categories will be named the grand prize winners. Deadline for all submissions is April 3, 2015.

“This contest gives a unique opportunity to build on our joint efforts to promote health and safety, as we continue to look for more ways to improve the quality of life for the residents of the City of Santa Ana,” said John Palacio, President of the Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education.

For more information, please contact Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer of the Santa Ana Unified School District at (714) 673-4995 or Tanya Lyon, Strategic Communications Manager of the City of Santa Ana at (714) 647-5209.

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