December 13, 2024, Press Release from the Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition: LIMA—The Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition met this morning at Mercy Health to honor its coalition members, announce the recent FY25 grant award of $46,200 from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and discuss the importance of driving sober this winter.
Twenty coalition members attended the biannual breakfast where safety advocates come together to recap safe driving campaigns, like Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Megan Kinnear, chairperson for Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition, said the grant became effective Oct. 1, 2024 and runs through Sept. 30, 2025.
The awarded amount is based on crash fatalities in Allen County and is used to promote safety with transportation while driving, riding a bicycle or walking. Around half of all counties in Ohio operate a Safe Community Coalition and manage a grant program such as this. Each grantee’s award amount varies based on the number of fatalities in each county.
“We have a big push right now to make sure drivers are making smart choices. Not only are wintery roads dangerous, when you add drinking to the mix, it can result in a horrible outcome,” said Kinnear.
Members of the coalition want to urge drivers this holiday season to designate a sober driver, and to find ways to enjoy celebrating with one another without the use of alcohol or anything else that causes impairment.
The breakfast was sponsored by Mercy Health - St. Rita’s Medical Center.
