77.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsLocal Shipping Companies Get On Board with Child Safety Program

Local Shipping Companies Get On Board with Child Safety Program

Two shipping companies in the territory join VIPD and VIOHS to provide car safety restraints. (Shutterstock image)

Crowley on St. Thomas and Flemings Transport on St. Croix, two shipping companies, are joining the Virgin Islands Police Department and the V.I. Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) to provide no-cost child car safety restraints to child passengers across the territory, according to a press release from the VIPD.

Through the VIOHS Occupant Protection Program’s Car Seat Loaner Program, car seats and booster seats are provided to child passengers in need at no cost. However, shipping for these bulky devices can be cost-prohibitive. Responding to this urgent community need, shipping companies Crowley and Flemings Transport have answered the agency’s request for sponsorship of shipping and clearance fees for these lifesaving devices, according to the press release.

“When we were approached and advised of the exorbitant costs of shipping these car seats to the Virgin Islands, we eagerly agreed to cover all shipping costs,” explained Ruby V. Fleming of Flemings’ Transport. “These car seats which are used to safely transport infants and toddlers are an important function of public safety. Economic obstacles should not be the determining factor as to whether an infant or toddler is safe on our roads.”

Flemings’ Transport welcomed the opportunity to assist VIOHS and encourages others to do the same. “There’s no better investment in our communities than supporting the safety of our children,” said Crowley’s Kishma Vincent, Director of Cargo Operations for the Virgin Islands, the release stated.

“Crowley proudly partnered with the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Office of Highway Safety to help ensure that car seats can be provided to protect the safety of people’s most precious cargo – our infants and kids.” “We are grateful for the generosity and responsiveness of our community partners, Crowley and Flemings Transport,” beamed VIPD Commissioner Ray A. Martinez. “The savings realized through their sponsorship will purchase additional seats, which are desperately needed.”

According to data collected through observations conducted by VIPD’s Traffic Safety Officers and local Child Passenger Safety Technicians, approximately 73% of the territory’s child passengers are currently transported unrestrained or under restrained (without appropriate child restraints). This data is supported by the 2022 Annual Observational Rear Seat Survey, which reported an at-risk rate of over 79% for children under age 12, it said.

“Risks taken with child passengers can be observed every day,” noted VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal. “With the generosity of our community partners, we will continue to promote and support child passenger safety. We are asking “the village” to intervene when children are seen riding unsafely. Your concern may save a life.”

Seats provided through VIOHS will provide much-needed relief and safety for child passengers, it said.

For more information on child passenger safety or the VIOHS Car Seat Loaner Program, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or Occupant Protection Planner/Coordinator Denise Gomes at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov or via telephone at (340) 473-7383.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.