Buffalo Grove police honor kids for helmet use

The Buffalo Grove police recently rewarded young residents in town who had the forethought to protect their safety.

The department gave out 16 Saved by the Helmet awards at Prairie School in Buffalo Grove to children who were saved from injury when they fell off their bikes and roller blades because they were wearing helmets.

"We've done it before, but this is the first year we've gone into the schools," said Traffic Sgt. Scott Kristiansen.

The police also did a demonstration at the school that included dropping a watermelon from a ladder. When students dropped the watermelon a second time -- this time with a helmet on -- the fruit itself didn't bear any marks of injury.

Kristiansen said the officers wanted students to realize what could happen to them without a helmet.

"It's important that you wear it," he said. "It can save your life."

The Prairie School students given an award included: Lucas Wax, Haley Miller, Andrew Projansky, Reese Kuper, Cassidy Small, Josh Pike, Nick Chu, Martin Mann, Jessica Balter, Michael Simon, Isaac Lucas, Noah Sharp, Kelli Kull, Rebekah Dunn, Jason Spector and Lauren Scott.

The police also gave out awards at a village board meeting for the annual bike safety coloring contest.

Each winner from four grades received a $50 savings bond from American Enterprise Bank in Buffalo Grove.

Those winners were: Mia Rafferty, a kindergartner at St. Mary School, Shreya Karpoor, a 1st grade student at Ivy Hall School, Melany Sanchez, a 2nd grader at Kilmer School, and Alana Kocol, a 3rd grader at Ivy Hall School.