Safe Communities Coalition

 

Welcome to the Safe Communities Coalition (SCC) web page!  Red River Valley Community Action has served as the host agency for SCC since July of 2002.  The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is the grantor for SCC. 

The mission of SCC is to educate the public as well as provide services and activities intended to reduce and prevent injuries and fatalities from occurring.  The injuries and fatalities will be identified by local data, Grand Forks Data Toolkit, and the ND Data Toolkit.

Many community members volunteer to help make SCC a success.  The structure of SCC is continuously growing.  At this point, SCC is comprised of an advisory board of 8 members, a full coalition of 25+ members, and an Alcohol and Other Drugs subcommittee.  To learn more about SCC activities and events, please browse through the rest of the web page.

Booth Activities

Safe Communities Coalition (SCC) has set up various booths around the community. 

  • Child Passenger Safety booths were touring the Grand Forks Public Schools during the months of February and March.  Red River High School Students and UND Social Work Club Members volunteered their time at these booths.
  • UND hosted a Workers Safety Conference in the spring of the year.  Advisory Board member, Randy Fenley, volunteered at the booth.

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Coalition Meetings

SCC has four Full Coalition Meetings per grant year.  Contact Sadie Ripley if you would like to add an agenda item to a specific meeting.

  • Jerry Robinson presented a Best Practices Spotlight of the Ralph Engelstad Arena at the May 2004 Full Coalition Meeting.
  • See link to meeting minutes from May and July meetings.

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Radio Remotes

May Radio Remote:

  • Rydell GM Auto Center hosted this radio remote during the Seatbelt Blitz.  Rydell�s allowed for the SCC / NDDOT radio remote to be ongoing during the SAFE KIDS monthly car seat check up.  Both the radio remote and check up event were a success!  Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this remote a success!

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June Radio Remote:

  • Menards hosted this radio remote on June 2, 2026 during the final week of the Seatbelt Blitz.  Law Enforcement Volunteers, Menards and the staff at Clear Channel Communications were very helpful in making this event a success!  Thanks to everyone involved!

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Respect for Law Luncheon

  • For the second year in a row, Grand Forks Optimist Club has partnered with SCC to put on the Respect for Law Luncheon.  The luncheon was held at the Bronze Boot on May 26, 2026 and was well attended.  All Law Enforcement entities were recognized for their outstanding commitment to the community and they received plaques from the Optimist Club.  SCC presented awards to the law enforcement officers for the following categories: Most Speed Citations, Most Seatbelt/Child Restraint Citations, Most DUI arrests, Most Right of Way Violations, and Server Training presenter for 2003.  Everyone enjoyed a fun game of Jeopardy!

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SAFE KIDS Check Ups

  • SAFE KIDS Grand Forks partners with Rydell GM Auto Center to sponsor a monthly check-up at the Rydell Auto Collision Center.  This event is held the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4 � 7 p.m.  No appointment necessary.  These events are free of charge!
  • Below are some pictures of some of the events and technicians!

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School Site Safety Events

  • Manvel Public School and Community High School both partnered up with SCC to conduct school site safety programs in their schools for a three-month period.  Kelsey Callahan and Eric Bless were program coordinators for both schools.  Seatbelt usage rates increased at both schools!

         

Server Training

  • Server Training is an on-going event sponsored by SCC and the Grand Forks Police Department Community Service Bureau.  Classes are held every month in the basement of the Grand Forks Police Department.  Everyone who plans on attending must pre-register with Sadie Ripley at 746-5431.  The classes run from 5:30 � 7:30 p.m.  After 5:35 p.m., no one will be admitted into the class.
  • As of July 13, 2004, there have been 18 Server Training sessions held. Over 415 servers have represented 50 plus establishments at these classes. 

 

 

Updated on August 17, 2026