Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BLUE STAR PROGRAM
BLUE STAR PROGRAM. In December 1983 the Telegraph Herald, Dubuque Police Department, and the Girl Scouts among other organizations began drafting plans for the Blue Star Program. The blue star was a symbol of a safe place for children in danger. The program was sanctioned nationwide by the Parent-Teacher Association.
A trial run of the program was set to begin at Audubon School on January 10th, 1984. That school was chosen because Scouts in the district proposed the program. Plans called for the program to go city-wide at the beginning of the 1984-1985 academic year.
Volunteers willing to post the blue star in a window submitted applications to the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Those chosen were then screened by the police. Those chosen were advised not to transport injured children in order to avoid potential lawsuits. Blue Star participants would also not be asked to administer first aid except to stop bleeding or restore breathing.
The Telegraph Herald had been considering its own security program to protect its newspaper carriers when officials heard of the Blue Star Program. The Des Moines Register had started a program after one of its carriers was abducted.
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Source:
Kirchen, Rich. "City to Initiate Blue Star Program as Haven for Harassed Youth, Telegraph Herald, December 5, 1983 p. 1