New Lenox officials know that safety of a community goes beyond just low crime stats. Injury prevention also is key.
Since 2010, New Lenox has been part of the Safe Communities program, an international program that focuses on keeping residents safe. New Lenox is now seeking its third accreditation as a Safe Community, as is the only remaining accredited community in Illinois.
“It’s a wonderful thing to have for our community,” said Daniel Martin, Safe Communities coordinator for the village.
Some of the programs are very popular. This month, the coalition is hosting courses on how to survive an active shooter and another called Stop the Bleed. Both classes are filled.
Programs such as One Fall Can Change it All or A Matter of Balance address fall risks for residents and steps people can take to prevent fall injuries. Other class topics cover how to react in an active shooter situation or how to stop an active bleed.
Registration is still open for a four-week, in-person Matter of Balance class. One session meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from March 7-30. Another session from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays runs March 29 through April 21. All classes will be held in the community room at New Lenox Village Hall, 1 Veterans Parkway.
Other courses offered by the coalition focus on suicide prevention, substance abuse awareness, Narcan training and vehicle safety.
Safe Communities also has graduated more than 500 participants in a certified emergency response team training program. Mayor Timothy Baldermann said though not all graduates are active, a core group has remained and provide search and rescue assistance throughout the county.
Graduates also assist throughout the county and help make special events, such as Concerts at the Commons, possible, Baldermann said.
“The people involved with our program have just turned it into something phenomenal,” Baldermann said. “The benefits to our community are tremendous.”
New Lenox first became part of the program through a resident who also worked for the National Safety Council and approached village officials about the initiative. Though the National Safety Council no longer oversees the program, a nonprofit organization continues to oversee it.
The New Lenox program includes partnerships with more than 60 community agencies such as Rosecrance, Senior Services of Will County, Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 and Silver Cross Hospital. The partners join in providing resources for educational programs and seminars aimed at reducing injury risk.
“I’m super proud to be a part of anything that’s going to add to the well-being of our community and the safety of our community,” said Jennifer Hahs, national referral relations coordinator for Rosecrance.
Hahs also lives in New Lenox and serves on the Safe Communities coalition.
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“There’s not been an event where someone has not come up and said either ‘thank you for doing this,’ or ‘I had no idea,'” Hahs said. “We’re just trying to reduce the shame and stigma for getting help … we want to be sure we are keeping an open dialogue so that no one is struggling alone.”
Programs are offered on a quarterly basis. For more information on New Lenox’ Safe Communities initiative, go to www.newlenox.net/pview.aspx?id=40108&catid=528. To register for classes, contact Daniel Martin at 815-462-6493 or through email at [email protected].
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.