Baraga County Safe Community

Asset scores were highest in the enforcement and education categories. According to ACTS results, the community perceives a strong presence of standard alcohol enforcement, streamlined arrest process, enforcement technologies, access to adult problem identification, and parental teaching. Asset scores were lower in the categories of behavior change campaigns and policies assets, and training assets.

The Copper Country Mental Health Services Institute received a grant from OHSP to conduct a High School Seatbelt Challenge in Baraga County in October 2001. They collaborated with the Michigan State Police L’Anse Post for this project. The program consisted of a baseline survey, one week of educational activities, one week of incentives, and a final survey at both Baraga and L’Anse High School.

The baseline survey was conducted by high school SADD Chapters during the middle of October 2001 with 62% of observed drivers wearing seatbelts.

Trooper Pat Butler presented an educational assembly on seatbelt use at both high schools. Schools also hung seatbelt use posters in the hallways, asked local business to put up posters or provide signage about the Challenge, provided statistics during daily announcements, provided educational videos in appropriate classes, and more. In Baraga, student Crystal Tollefson told her own story of losing her mother to a drunk driving fatality earlier this year. The project received media coverage through interviews with a local radio program and newspaper.

At the end of October, incentives were given out to students who were observed wearing seatbelts as they arrived at school. Incentives included gift certificates from local businesses and Sacagawea gold dollars.

Students from the L’Anse and Baraga SADD Chapters conducted the final survey November 1st by observing drivers’ use of seatbelts. Seatbelt use increased to 92% on the final survey. The schools were within one point of each other in the race for the winner of the Seatbelt Challenge. The coordinators of the grant felt it only fair to award both schools a certificate and $500 prize for winning the Challenge since the numbers were so close. Michigan State Police L’Anse Post continued the Challenge through the end of December 2001.

The coalition collaborated with the Michigan State Police Calumet Post on a public information and education campaign. They were successful in airing public service announcements regarding drinking and driving and underage drinking during September 2001.

The Baraga County Liquor License Town Hall meeting was held in September 2001. Ten liquor licensees from the county attended in addition to a TAM (Techniques of Alcohol Management) trainer. Also in attendance were representatives from the Liquor Control Commission, the Western UP Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency, the Baraga County Sheriff’s Department, and the Baraga County Prosecutor.

The coalition learned that the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) complies with all state laws, including seatbelt usage. The coalition shared information about the Baraga Seatbelt Challenge project. KBIC representatives liked the idea and may use it in the future.