Chaplain Perry Johnson
The Prescott Police Department is the number one child safety seat distribution and installation center in the state of Arkansas. Police Chief Brian Russell says Chaplain Brother Perry Johnson is primarily responsible for that.
Russell says Johnson is well-educated on proper installation and assists in installing the safety seats in vehicles. He says Johnson is a Certified Technician through the National Child Passenger Safety Program and is willing to help at any time.
Pam Hearnsberger, with the Department of Human Services, is also a certified technician in the installation of child safety seats in Nevada County. Hearnsberger and Perry work through a variety of community based activities, including seat checks, seat installations and baby seat showers. Parents and caregivers can receive education and hands-on assistance with the proper child restraint systems and safety belts free of charge.
Chief Russell reminds drivers that Arkansas law 27-34-104 requires a child who is less than six years old and weights less than 60 pounds be restrained in a child passenger safety seat. The Prescott Police Department can assist those in need of a free child safety seat.
Chief Russell also says his department will be more active in stopping vehicles that don’t have children properly restrained. Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer will inform the motorist about how to obtain a child safety seat. He says there will be no tolerance or excuses for not having your child in the appropriate child safety seat and citations will be written.
For information on getting assistance through the Prescott Police Department in getting a child safety seat, call or come by the department during business hours to set up a time to get Chaplain Perry to install a seat in your vehicle that properly fits your child’s age, weight and height.
Chief Russell says he will void citations issued from his department for those that follow through in getting a child safety seat this way. However, he says he will not drop charges for those who have a child safety seat in their vehicle but choose not to have their children in them.
The Prescott Police Department is located at West Main and 2nd. Their phone number is 870-887-6779.
