Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/1731
58 AMERICAN POLICE BEAT: MAY 2009 O n De c e m b e r 16 , 2008 a special event occurred in the State of Rhode Island. The Rhode Island State Police orga- nized a charity event entitled "Kids, Cops & Christmas." The event was held at the Rhode Island State House, where hundreds of gifts were donated and placed under a large Christmas tree. The Rhode Island State Police, the Providence Po- lice, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association, and Crossroads Rhode Island kicked off the Kids, Cops & Christmas Program with an invitation to all of Rhode Island's law enforcement community to bring an un- wrapped present for those less fortunate who would otherwise be forgotten. Crossroads Rhode Island is the state's largest pro- vider of services to homeless children, women and men. Their programs include crisis intervention, emer- gency shelter and housing, and vocational services for the homeless and discon- nected. "Hundreds of homeless children and families were able to have a brighter Christmas thanks to the efforts of many law enforce- ment organizations around the state," stated Ann Nolan, President of Crossroads Rhode Island. "The generosity shown through the "Kids, Cops, and Christmas" program was overwhelming. Cross- roads Rhode Island is fortu- nate to be a part of such a caring community." Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel Brendan P. Doherty ex- pressed his thanks to the many police chiefs and law enforcement offi cers gath- ered around the state house Christmas tree. "The goal of this event is to show the chil- dren that police offi cers are their friends and are in the community to help them," Doherty said. The Georgia legislature has voted overwhelmingly to support Governor Sonny Perdue and his goal to make Georgia a safer state. Recently the Senate passed the "SuperSpeeder" bill that would save lives by target- ing the worst-of-the-worst of speeders on Georgia high- ways with higher fi nes and reinstatement fees designed to support the trauma centers that treat Georgia's crash victims. Under the new law, motorists who speed at 85- miles-an-hour or more on the state's multiple lane high- ways, or at 75-miles-an-hour or more on two-lane roads, would have to pay $200.00 in fi nes to the state, above the cost of any local speeding tickets. "We know by passing Governor Perdue's "Super- Speeder" legislation we will save lives in Georgia," said Director Bob Dallas of the Georgia Governor's Offi ce of Highway Safety (GOHS). "Most drivers don't real- ize that about a quarter of our crash deaths in Georgia involve excessive speed," he said. Georgia suffered more than one death per day due to speeding in 2007. Under "SuperSpeeder," high-risk drivers who have their licens- es suspended for excessive points would also face safe driver course requirements and higher reinstatement fees. The fi nes and points are all designed to change the high-risk behavior of high- risk drivers who will now be dubbed "SuperSpeeders." Troopers help out needy children The Rhode Island State Police organized a charity event entitled "Kids, Cops & Christmas" to help needy children. Super-speeder law Georgia puts brakes on speed demons Circle number 175 on the Reader Service Card.