By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – "Put on anything to do with safety and kids and I'm there."
Officer Kevin Kosten of the City of Niles Police Department rearranged his schedule in order to attend this weekend's Safety Net Kids event at ATA Martial Arts for Kids, 217 E. Main St., Niles.
The event is Saturday, May 12 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
"I checked out the program on the website. As police we like to have interaction with the kids in and outside of school.
"We will be conducting fingerprinting of children and if the weather is nice, we will have the electric police car there as well," Officer Kosten said.
"Safety Net Kids is the only kids' safety program authorized by the Code Amber Alert System. As a second-degree black belt certified instructor, I value the way this program addresses the safety needs of children," Colleen Kielton, owner of Leadership and Lifeskills Inc. and facilitator of the program.
The American Taekwondo Association is sponsoring the event, along with David Stafford the new owner of ATA Martial Arts for Kids.
"The kids' favorite part is that they get to take home the DVD from the event. Parents tell me that kids watch it over and over. We love that because it further instills the message that kids can take control of their safety," Kielton said.
Tina Ronan, a second-degree black belt and pre-school teacher, teaches the program. Kids and parents get critical knowledge of personal safety and the tools to practice at home.
"They'll also get to see some amazing taekwondo by the Safety Net Kids Demo Team," Kielton said.
Kids attending the event will be treated to pizza supplied by Massimo's after they graduate.
There will also be a demonstration by the ATA Black-belt Academy at the Riverfront Park at 2:30 p.m., during Spring Fling special day for youth, also on Saturday.