James B. Quattrone Sheriff at Chautauqua County | Official website
James B. Quattrone Sheriff at Chautauqua County | Official website
Chautauqua County recently came together in a show of solidarity to kick off National Child Abuse Prevention Month, with a rally at City Hall in Jamestown. The community event aimed to raise awareness and highlight the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children.
During the kickoff event, several speakers addressed the crowd, including Saraden Randall from the Chautauqua Child Advocacy Program, Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund, Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt, and Chautauqua County's Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services Director, Carmelo Hernandez. Additionally, students from Jamestown Public Schools also took the stage to share their thoughts on the matter.
Hernandez emphasized the crucial role of the community in supporting families in need, stating, “It truly takes collective effort to nurture and uplift our children, and we all share the responsibility to ensure families in Chautauqua County thrive.”
District Attorney Jason Schmidt reaffirmed the commitment to fighting child abuse, saying, “Protecting our children is paramount, and we will tirelessly pursue justice for victims while holding perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
One of the initiatives to raise awareness is the annual Pinwheel for Prevention campaign, where pinwheel gardens are planted across the county. Saraden Randall explained, “The pinwheels represent planting seeds of hope. Hope for a better future for our community. To continue to grow, learn, and thrive.”
Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund commended the community for their efforts, stating, “Through these actions, participants emphasized the importance of fostering safe and supportive environments for children at every level of society.”
The event also included the symbolic planting of pinwheel gardens at City Hall and a walk to a nearby school, involving students from Jamestown High School. Additional Pinwheel plantings are scheduled in April at different locations within the county.
Residents are encouraged to wear blue on April 3, 2024, in solidarity with efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect. For more information on protecting children from abuse and neglect, resources are available on preventchildabuseny.org, chqgov.com, and capjustice.org. If there are suspicions of child abuse or neglect, individuals can contact the NY State Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.
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