With the final long weekend of summer here and students preparing to head back to school, Estevan Police Chief Jamie Blunden is reminding residents to prioritize safety, both on the roads and online.
He encouraged drivers to plan for a safe ride home over the long weekend, whether through a designated driver, taxi, or arranging a responsible ride with friends or family. “We want everybody to have a good weekend, a safe weekend, and get home safe,” he said.
As families gear up for the start of the school year on Tuesday, the chief highlighted the importance of vigilance in school zones. “We’ve got kids who are excited to get back to school. I think we need to slow down, respect the 30 km/h zones, get off our phones, and make sure our kids are safe,” Blunden said, emphasizing that children may not always use crosswalks and can be unpredictable around traffic.
Social media safety for students and families is a year-round concern, but it becomes especially important at the start of the school year, when many families like to celebrate by sharing photos with their children’s names, schools, or other personal details.
Blunden cautions against oversharing personal information online. “There are scammers and predators out there who can take advantage of having that information,” he said, urging families to limit the personal details they post and to keep open lines of communication with their children about their online activity.
“Parents should know what their kids are surfing and have an idea of what they’re doing,” he added. “If you don’t know what’s going on in your kids’ life on social media platforms, it can be a recipe for disaster.”
His message serves as a timely reminder for residents to enjoy the final days of summer responsibly and start the school year safely.