Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: June 05, 2007

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police kick-off fan drive

With above normal temperatures expected this summer, officers are kicking off an effort for residents to pay closer attention to elderly citizens.

At 10 a.m. this morning, officers will begin visiting with seniors in their homes, taking them fans, water, food and advice on how to protect themselves from the summer heat.

The officers will be at the home of Betty Simpson, 708 W. 71st Street, in Cedar Grove. Ms. Simpson has no air conditioner, so fans will be crucial to keeping her cool this summer.  After the 10 a.m. visit with Ms. Simpson, officers will head to 1705 Oakdale in Hollywood Heights to visit Ms. Curlie Carter and then onto 2754 Elmhurst in Sunset Acres to visit with Henry and Edna Davis.

Many times senior citizens are afraid to leave their windows open, for fear that criminals may break in. This causes a serious health concern as temperatures soar in to the upper 90s and 100s. Without ventilation, it doesn't take long for inside temperatures to get extremely warm. 

The officers conducting these checks on the elderly are located in Area 4. They are making it their mission to set the example, with hopes that officers in other areas will follow.

This time of year, it is especially important to remind parents and pet owners not to leave their children or pets inside cars during the summer. While it's illegal to leave a child unattended anyway, it is tragic when young children are seriously injured and die because of this.

Last summer, a 2 year old died after being left in a car while the father was at work. The child was supposed to be dropped off at day care, but the father apparently forgot the child was in a car.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews