WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 25, 2017 — West Liberty University Campus Police Chief Joseph Montemurro recently shared safety tips with the West Liberty Girl Scout Troop that meets at West Liberty Christian Church.
The safety skill presentation took place on May 16 and focused on preparedness and knowledge.
Police Chief Joseph Montemurro answers a practice 9-1-1 call from his daughter, Olivia, 6, a member of the West Liberty Girl Scouts.
“My goal was to educate and familiarize them about 911, when to use it and why. I also gave them practical experience in using phones of a wide variety including flip phones, other cell phones and rotary dial phones,” Montemurro said.
“In my past experience, I know that many children freeze up and don’t know how to make or complete calls, and unfortunately it is sometimes necessary,” he said. “It’s important to teach the kids how to stay calm and to make sure they know their name and address and to understand when to call and when not to call.”
The safety demonstration also included children actually making calls and learning other safety skills like stranger danger.
“Stranger danger includes rules of interacting with strangers. I tried to teach the kids some of the things that people might say to kids to lure them,” he explained.
Melinda Utt is the leader of the Girl Scout troop, which include ages 6 – 10.
“All the girls were very interested and we thank Chief Montemurro for taking time to do this,” Utt said.
Montemurro also fingerprinted all of the girls and gave the print cards to the parents for identification purposes in the case of emergency.
Chief Montemurro plans on repeating the safety program in the fall at West Liberty Elementary School for more students.
Montemurro has led the Campus Police since this past September. A Pittsburgh native, he previously served 11 years in the Raleigh Police Department, Raleigh, N.C. and also served in a municipal police department in Allegheny County, Pa. for 17 years before that.
The Campus Police is dedicated to providing excellence in service to the campus community and provides 24-hour-a-day patrol to the grounds, parking lots, residence halls, academic buildings and the faculty housing area. The police office is located in Shaw Hall.
Currently, a Cooperation and Assistance agreement is active with the town of West Liberty and Campus Police assist in enforcing the law in the surrounding town of 1,600 residents.
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