The Linn Police Department has received six car seats from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) that are to be given away free of charge to qualifying members of the public in Osage County, not just the city of Linn.
Chief Michael Bickell explained that to qualify, individuals must meet the 2020-21 federal poverty guidelines, which may be verified if necessary.
Effective Jan. 13, a family of four earning $26,500 per year is considered to be at 100% of the poverty rate, while a family of five must earn $31,040 or less to qualify, along with a family of six ($35,580), a family of seven ($40,120) and a family of eight ($44,660).
LPD has four Cosco BC110-EJP car seats rated for children weighing 40 to 100 pounds, and two Cosco BC112FSM car seats rated for children weighing 22 to 80 pounds.
Bickell said these seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, though he hopes to expand the department’s offerings in the near future.
“We are working on a plan to have all of our officers trained and certified in the installation of car seats,” said Bickell. “Eventually, we would like to be able to help new parents install their seats properly to make sure the children in our community are safe while traveling.”
With such a certification, additional car seat grants may be available.
“We are very happy to be able to offer these car seats and hope to have more soon,” said Bickell.
According to Department of Public Safety statistics, between 2015-2019 there have been six fatalities involving children one year of age or younger, including two who were not properly restrained and one who was not restrained. Children in this age group are required by state law to be secured in a rear-facing car seat.
Among children aged 1-3, there were 22 fatalities, with four improperly restrained and seven who were not restrained, while 30 fatalities were reported among children aged 4-7 using booster seats, with six improperly restrained and six who were not restrained, and among children 8 and older using a lap/shoulder belt, there were 16 fatalities, with one improperly restrained and eight who were not restrained.
Serious injuries during the same period numbered 17 among children one year and younger, with five improperly restrained and two who were not restrained, while 69 children aged 1-3 were seriously injured, with 14 improperly restrained and 18 who were not restrained, 133 serious injuries were reported among children aged 4-7 using booster seats, with 46 improperly restrained and 27 who were not restrained, and among children 8 and older using a lap/shoulder belt, there were 107 serious injuries, with six improperly restrained and 26 who were not restrained.