The Santa Monica Police Department along with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announces and congratulates the winners of the “Safety Begins With Me” poster contest.  The contest gave students the opportunity to use art to express what they have learned about train safety in anticipation of the arrival of the Metro Expo Line on May 20, 2016.  The contest categories were open to students in 4^th through 8^th grades who attend school in Santa Monica.

The winners are:

FIRST PLACE: Quentin Corbal, 4^th Grade, McKinley Elementary, teacher Mrs. Cervantes, 4^th and 5^th  grade category.

1st Row (L-R): Quentin Corbel, 1st Place Winner (4th-5th Grade Category); Mrs. Cervantes, Teacher, McKinley Elementary School
2nd Row (L-R): Stacy Yamato-Jasmin, Metro Transit Safety Programs; Sgt. Rudy Flores, Santa Monica Police Dept.; Officer Ricky Verbeck, Santa Monica Police Dept.; Susan Yakich, Principal, McKinley Elementary School.

FIRST PLACE:  Emilia Scott, 6^th Grade, Lincoln Middle School, teacher Mrs. Moe, 6-8^th grade

(L-R): Mrs. Moe, Teacher, Lincoln Middle School; Stacy Yamato-Jasmin, Metro Transit Safety Programs; Emilia Scott, 1st Place winner, 6th-8th Grade Category; Sgt. Rudy Flores, Santa Monica Police Dept.

Runner Up: Issac Feinberg, 4^th Grade, Grant Elementary, teacher Mrs. Ware, 4^th and  5^th grade category

Runner Up: Scarlet Klein, Lincoln Middle School, teacher Mrs. Utzinger, 6-8^th grade category

Prizes for the contest were generously donated by Pacific Park, Santa Monica Pier and BLICK Art Supplies.

Banners of winning artwork will be displayed at Metro Expo Line Grand Opening events, Coast Open Streets event, Santa Monica City Hall, on City and Metro social media platforms and at all ten Santa Monica elementary and middle schools starting in August.

All participants’ artwork will be on display in the lobby of Santa Monica City Hall from June 8 – June 28.

SMPD Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks reminds our residents and visitors: “It’s very simple to stay safe: follow the rules and obey the signs and signals! Everyone needs to be alert at all times and pay attention at rail crossings when walking, biking or driving. It’s important to take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those around you—Look, Listen, Stay Alive!”