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MEDIA RELEASE: CAA honours Waterloo Regional Police Service and School Safety Patrol program partner with Achievement Award

Every year, CAA SCO recognizes community partners across Ontario with the CAA School Safety Patrol Program Achievement Award

Nov 4, 2024

3 min


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[ Deputy Chief Jen Davis, Police Chief Mark Crowell, Catherine Conoboy WRPS SSP Program Coordinator, Deputy Chief Eugene Fenton, Leslie Rocha, CAA SCO ]


CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is proudly awarding Catherine Conoboy, a civilian professional with the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), with the CAA School Safety Patrol® (SSP) Program Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution and dedication to the program.


As the Corporate Events Coordinator for WRPS, Conoboy has trained CAA School Safety Patrollers for 23 years, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to student safety since 2001.


As part of her passion for educating the youth in her community, Conoboy organizes an annual mass training event every September, training between 1,000 to 1,200 student Patrollers at each event.


“Conoboy’s commitment to the CAA School Safety Patrol program over the past two decades has been exceptional. Her leadership, collaboration with key partners, and dedication to student safety are the cornerstones to this program’s success,” says Leslie Rocha, community program consultant at CAA SCO, “Whether organizing appreciation events or securing support from local groups or governments, her passion for student safety and community engagement shines through.”


In Waterloo Region, during the 2024/2025 school year, 90 schools registered for the program – 46 more schools than in the school year prior. Together with the Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region, Conoboy has encouraged and promoted schools to participate in SSP training.


“We are extremely proud to see Catherine being honoured with an award that recognizes her exemplary work and commitment to public safety,” said Cherri Greeno, director of corporate affairs, Waterloo Regional Police Service. “Through this program, Catherine has shown her dedication and passion to building community relationships while improving the health and safety of thousands of youth within Waterloo Region.”


Every year, CAA SCO recognizes community partners across Ontario with the CAA School Safety Patrol Program Achievement Award, given to a road safety advocate who embodies their commitment to the program’s mission of keeping school zones safe.


“CAA always advocates for the safety of our communities and the children and pedestrians that reside within them,” says Rocha. “We continue to work alongside our community and police partners to empower elementary school students to help keep themselves safe when travelling to and from school.”


The CAA School Safety Patrol program was developed in 1929 to protect, educate, and empower elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices. With more than 90 years of proven experience in teaching road safety and children’s safety in school zones, the program gives Patrollers an acute awareness of road safety and gives them the tools to help them stay safe as they travel to and from school.  


To help make the program a success, Conoboy also works closely with the local bussing consortium, Waterloo Regional Police, Fire Services, and Paramedics to ensure Patrollers are trained to be safety advocates in their communities.


“Year after year, Conoboy’s ability to foster these critical relationships ensures the SSP program runs smoothly and effectively,” says Rocha.


Waterloo Regional Police Service has participated in the SSP program for over 30 years.


Since its start, the CAA School Safety Patrol program has helped keep students safe in school zones. Every year, approximately 800 schools in Ontario participate in the CAA SSP program, which CAA SCO delivers with local partners.


For more information, visit www.caaschoolsafetypatrol.com


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