‘Safe Haven’ signs going up around Idaho Falls
“Safe Haven” signs were hung Wednesday at the Idaho Falls Fire Department and on its ambulances.
The Safe Haven Law, which allows for the safe surrender of unwanted newborns, went into effect in Idaho in 2001.
The signage is a part of an effort to increase awareness of the law. Fire departments were already official Safe Haven locations, but the sign will act as a nice reminder for anyone in need.
The Idaho Falls police department and the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center attended the ceremonial posting of the signs Wednesday morning. They will also be putting up signs on their own buildings.
One of Idaho’s biggest advocates of the Safe Haven Law, Suzanne Hobbs, worked with Sen. Bart Davis more than a decade ago, to bring the Safe Haven Law to the Gem State.
“No woman needs to face attempted murder charges or murder charges. that doesn’t need to happen. We do not need to have one more baby left to die in Idaho,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs was a news reporter 16 years ago when she received a tip that a newborn baby had been abandoned.
“I got a tip that there was a newborn left in a dumpster on Gladstone. My photographer and I rushed over there, and we saw a very tragic scene of a baby being taken out by police officers and the funeral home folks. It was an image that I’ll never forget,” Hobbs said.
She kept the image with her while rallying for the Safe Haven Law to come to Idaho. She helped create the signs with the National Safe Haven Alliance.
“There is no name, no shame, no blame. If you safely surrender your newborn within the first 30 days of birth in Idaho, you can bring your baby to a place like the Idaho Falls Fire Department. Hand the child off to an EMS provider or fireman or anyone that’s here in the building. And you can walk away — no questions asked,” Hobbs said.
She said the sign represents a safe place for both the baby and the person dropping off the baby with no fear of prosecution.
“The stickers and the placards just identify the facilities and the vehicles where people can drop off unwanted children. In keeping with the law, we’ve always been prepared to receive those people, but we just wanted to make sure the public is aware that these are the facilities where they can be dropped off,” said EricDay, EMS Division chief of the Idaho Falls Fire Department.
a total of 26 newborns have been safely surrendered since the Safe Haven Law passed in Idaho 15 years ago.
“She’s played an extremely important role. From the very first call she covered in the media, to raising public awareness, writing her book and then bringing the signage program into the state and really working to bring public awareness — it’s extremely important,” Day said of Hobbs.
Safe Haven signs will be posted at EIRMC and at all Idaho Falls fire stations. Hobbs also kicked off the release of her children’s book “The Hungry Snake.” Proceeds from the book will go to the National Safe Haven Alliance.
