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YORKTON – Students of CAA's School Safety Patrol program were recognized for their efforts at an Installation Ceremony the morning of Oct. 24 at Yorkton City Hall.

It was on May 9, 2022, that Grade 6 Safety Patrol members from St. Paul’s School addressed City Council with an appeal for support. In response, City Council directed the Protective Services Committee and City Administration to organize Safety Patroller Installation Ceremonies for any elementary schools in Yorkton with active safety patrol programs.

In attendance were members of the RCMP, Fire Protective Services, Mayor Mitch Hippsley, and Mike Cristo, Principal of St. Alphonsus. 

“All of you here are very important. The fact that you chose to step up and become part of this safety patrol program is extremely important to our city," said Mayor Hippsley about the significance of the patrollers' roles.

“We want to honour the work that you do as Safety Patrollers. So this morning we are holding your installation ceremony where you'll formally be given your powers and responsibilities as Safety Patrollers. The work that you do when you're wearing those vests as safety patrollers is important," said, Nicole Baptist, Bylaw and Safety Supervisor for the City of Yorkton, during her address to the students in attendance.

Students from grades 6 and 8 recited the pledge as CAA Safety Patrollers. 

“CAA is a company that really tries to promote safety. We supply the vests and booklets. We come out and try and connect with the patrollers and see how their programs are going in their community. We talk to the teachers. We talk to the students and lots of times we hear that patrolling is fun. Patrolling is sometimes hard work," said Angel Blair with CAA, to the newly christened patrollers.

"The fact of the matter is you guys do this job and you'll do it when it's really cold in the winter and you'll do it when it's really hot in the summer in June. We're so thankful for that. We just really want to say that we are also proud of the fact that you guys do such a good job protecting your classmates. You're protecting the people you go to school with. You're protecting and helping your community and that's not always easy," added Blair.