Sgt. Glenn Young Child Safety Program 2010 Fact Sheet

Program:
The Sgt. Glenn Young Child Safety Program features an entertaining 45 minute to one hour program modeled after the 1980’s TV show “Knight Rider” that educates children about the dangers in their surroundings and how to confidently deal with them. This program is operated as a private, non-profit educational institution organized in 1988. It is the only Knight Rider based child safety program that exists in the world, and the only one personally endorsed by Hollywood actor Mr. David Hasselhoff, the Knight Rider.

The program contains several important educational elements, along with Hollywood inspired and supported special effects to maintain a high level of audience interest and participation. Within this program is a miniature replica of the car K.I.T.T. from the TV show. This remote controlled go-kart sized vehicle was hand built using items currently found in many households and has been named K.I.D., which stands for “Kids In Danger.” The car moves under its own electric power enabling it to move into and out of any handicapped accessible location. The car is equipped with an activated voice system, two-wheeled operation, halon fire extinguishing system, anti-stranger spray (water jet), laser, light scanner and ejection mode.

Also contained in the program is a full-size 1984 Pontiac Trans-Am K.I.T.T. replica car. The custom interior is visibly accurate in relation to the vehicle from the TV show. Labeling of lights and controls in the car has in certain locations been changed to reflect a car suited for child safety. The custom exterior is definitive and recognizable from any distance. This vehicle is also equipped with an activated voice system and light scanner.

The miniature K.I.D. car is transported in a 16 foot box truck donated by the Keebler cookie company. This vehicle has been customized for this program and repainted with bright, colorful graphics.

Sgt. Young ensures that following every presentation that he is available for autographs and consultations with children concerning any topic or question that they may have. It is through this part of the program that Sgt. Young has learned of many children’s fears, particularly of family members who have taken advantage of their trust. This unique one on one aspect has helped Sgt. Young place criminals in the hands of law enforcement and saved the lives of innocent children.

Education:
Sgt. Young’s program features numerous handouts including flyers, brochures and other donated items that inform children about many dangers from peer pressure to drugs to strangers. Some of the topics covered include the use of a telephone as a safety device, the importance of child identification, how to handle strangers and child predators, that police are their friends and how to identify imposters, fire safety, emergency contacts, the family code word for emergencies and why they should not take any substance from strangers.

Sgt. Young will be adding internet safety into the program soon as online child predators have become too dangerous. Parents are reminded about monitoring children’s use of the internet and knowing who their children are talking to in any online communication forum.

Children are encouraged to interact with Sgt. Young and the cars in role playing scenarios that mimic real life occurrences. The process of education through entertainment seeks to stimulate children’s minds in the hopes that when dangers present themselves, children will be better prepared to make safe choices.

Admission:
In order to reach the largest number of children possible, the program is offered free to all attendees, however, a donation (appearance fee) is usually requested from the sponsoring entity and the amounts are based upon a base fee plus distance to the location. Donations are used exclusively for performance and other program costs. Donations are tax-deductible thanks to Sgt. Young’s non-profit status.

Membership:
Sgt. Young currently is working on beneficial private and corporate support memberships, however, no memberships are currently available. If you wish to seek sponsorship of this program, please contact Sgt. Young for information.

Employment:
This child safety program currently has no paid staff. All staff are volunteers who believe in protecting children and come from varied backgrounds. Anyone who wishes to volunteer should contact Sgt. Young.

History:
The Sgt. Glenn Young Child Safety Program was originally conceived in the early 1980’s immediately following the premiere of the television series. Prior to its inception, Sgt. Young experienced a severe injury as a police officer while confronting a perpetrator, and a painful divorce which was followed by a short period of depression. Shortly after the premiere of the NBC hit TV show “Knight Rider” starring David Hasselhoff in 1982, Sgt. Young found himself on the couch with his daughter watching one of the first Knight Rider episodes. After the episode had ended, his daughter turned to him and asked him for one of the talking cars. As a father with a strong desire to give his children anything they sought, Sgt. Young began brainstorming how to afford one of the cars on a policeman’s salary. It wasn’t long before the answer was found.

Work began in earnest shortly afterwards on a miniature go-kart sized version of the Knight Rider car that Sgt. Young’s daughter could ride around in. With no budget, creativity soon took a foothold and a car soon took shape built from many common household items including 1-inch metal water piping for the frame and a garage door opener for the setup to drive the car on just two wheels. A small PA-system was installed to make the car “talk”. Real car parts also became part of the miniature to solve certain engineering issues – a windshield wiper motor from a Cadillac soon became the main propulsion unit and a windshield washer pump was used for the “anti-stranger” spray. With desire in his heart and a custom fiberglass body, the car was finished after many months of diligent work.

Despite many efforts, by the time the car was completed, Sgt. Young’s daughter grew tall enough that she could not fit in the car. With a decision to make on the future of the car, it didn’t take long for him to put two of the loves of his life together, Knight Rider and children’s safety, to create a tribute to the theme of Knight Rider – “One Man Can Make A Difference” and the Sgt. Glenn Young Child Safety Program was born.

It didn’t take long for information about the program to travel nearly 3,000 miles from Pennsylvania to California and well past 1:00 AM EST one night, Knight Rider star David Hasselhoff contacted Sgt. Young about the program. Mr. Hasselhoff was so intrigued that he invited Sgt. Young and the miniature car out to California for a visit. This trip was made in 1986 and Sgt. Young found himself on location on the Knight Rider set during the filming of the episode “Hills of Fire” which aired during the fourth and final season of the show. While on set, Sgt. Young had the opportunity to drive one of the K.I.T.T. camera cars and participate in commercial spots with Mr. Hasselhoff to be aired back in Pennsylvania. It was during these spots that Sgt. Young was declared to be Western Pennsylvania’s “Local Knight Rider” and Mr. Hasselhoff gave his full support to the program. Since then, Sgt. Young’s program has appeared in several states at countless types of venues and has been seen by hundred of thousands of children.

Sgt. Young:
Sgt. Young is now a semi-retired member of law enforcement with over 30 years of service.

Location:
The Sgt. Young Child Safety Program is based in New Brighton, Pennsylvania just off of Route 68. This location is less than 20 minutes from several major interstate arteries including Interstate 376, Route 18 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The program is available year-round by contacting Sgt. Young at 724-847-2532.