[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 69 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E955-E956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULING THE FAIR LAWN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND McDONALD'S ON ``A SAFE 
                        PLACE FOR SMALL FRIES''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Fair Lawn 
Police Department and

[[Page E956]]

the McDonald's Corp. for a pioneering new program intended to help 
young children contact police in times of need. This program is 
extremely worthwhile and I am certain it will serve as a model that 
will be copied by many communities throughout our northern New Jersey 
region if not nationwide. Nothing in the world is more priceless than 
our children.
  The Fair Lawn police and the local McDonald's restaurant this weekend 
will begin operation of a new project called ``A Safe Place for Small 
Fries.'' Under this program, children who are lost, injured or 
otherwise in trouble can come to the restaurant and receive help in 
calling the police. The police department and McDonald's are 
circulating flyers advising the public of the new service, and 
McDonald's staff are being trained in how to respond to requests for 
help.
  This program was the idea of Fair Lawn Police Officer Glen Callons. 
Officer Callons and his family were walking along a Jersey Shore 
boardwalk last Father's Day when they encountered an obviously lost 3-
year-old girl. After his own young children approached the girl, the 
off-duty officer took the youngster to a nearby police substation, 
where she was reunited with her family.
  Officer Callons couldn't stop thinking about the girl in the days 
that followed, worried that other small children might now know where 
to go if lost. It then struck him that almost all small children 
recognize the golden arches trademark of the ubiquitous McDonald's 
restaurant chain. Callons, assigned to the community policing division 
in Fair Lawn, approached the manager of the local McDonald's and began 
to develop plans for the program. The program is carefully structured, 
with children urged to dial 911 from a public phone if not close to the 
restaurant, and not to pass up a police station, fire station or 
hospital in order to reach the restaurant. A special training video has 
been prepared for McDonald's employees by police, and workers are 
supplied with multi-language information cards to help them deal with 
children who don't speak English.
  McDonald's Corp. officials say they are looking at the program as a 
pilot. If successful, the company may enter similar arrangements with 
other police departments, potentially establishing a similar program 
nationwide. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has 
supported the proposal, noting that the Boys and Girls Clubs of America 
have established similar ``save havens'' at their clubhouses.
  If this program can save even a single child from being lost or 
worse, then it is worthwhile. I am glad there are people like Officer 
Callons thinking pro-actively about the safety of our children in 
today's dangerous world. Officer Callons, Acting Chief of Police Rodman 
D. Marshall, and McDonald's Regional Marketing Coordinator Teresa 
Monohan deserve special recognition. I offer my support and wish this 
program success.

                          ____________________