By MATT PIKE

As school comes to an end for the summer, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department has been working with students to ensure they take proper steps to keep themselves safe while away from school.

Captain Shawn Collie says as you move into summer, there are several different topics to discuss with students.

“Obviously the students and the youth of our community are our future, so those are individuals we really need to pay special attention to and try to, us from a law enforcement side trying to meet with them or be a part of their lives going into summer to do that education prevention type,” Collie explains on the KFEQmunnity show. “Saying hey look we’re going into summer, you’ve got to make wise choices, it’s who you’re hanging out with, it’s making sure your parents know where you are, and just have a good time but be safe and have fun.”

Collie says there is so much information to give to students, one primary piece they focus on with students being careful who they talk to online

“Trying to be careful for those that are on the internet or gamers, there’s so many different threats out there through the technology side of stuff, so we’re trying to make sure to educate kids and parents about knowing what your kids are doing, who they’re talking to, maybe what social platforms they’re on,” Collie says. “As well as the simple fact that being safe about if you’re out on bicycles, or out walking, to be aware of other traffic.”

Collie says on top of making sure kids stay safe from online threats, it’s also become crucial to make sure kids understand drug safety as well.

“It used to be when I first started 20 plus years back, we really concentrated on maybe college and high school kids with different drug issues, now we’re seeing the issues down into the grade schools,” Collie explains. “And so, we’ve literally done different programs with all the schools from kindergarten up, obviously it’s going to be toned down or adapted to relate to those age groups, but it’s something now we’ll do as much prevention education as possible.”

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.