Police Selling 'Buckle Up' Signs to Businesses

are escalating their campaign to get residents to buckle up by asking local businesses to post signs urging people to fasten their seat belts as they leave.

The aluminum signs cost $50, which is the price to make them, and read: "We appreciate your business. Please buckle up so we can see you again."

"I've seen this done in other parts of the country, and it seemed like a good idea," Plainfield Traffic Sgt. Eric Munson said.

Ideally, the signs would be posted at all of the big-box stores that have large parking lots or employers who have a large number of workers but that may take some time given the corporate signoffs that are required, Munson said. But the size of the business is not as important as the message imparted, and he'd like to see them at area restaurants, gas stations and other places, he said.

The first business to commit to erecting a sign is . Munson said he hopes others will follow suit once the signs start going up.

Plainfield Signs Inc. has agreed to make the signs at cost for the police department. The price of the 18-inch-by-24-inch is $20 for the aluminum and $30 for the printing, with each business having its name featured in the design.

The has agreed to install the signs free of charge, with the only proviso being that they must be attached to existing poles, Munson said.

To purchase a sign or for more information, call 815-436-6544, Ext. 7161.