United Way Southwest Louisiana, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, is proud to launch Ride Safe SWLA, a community Initiative focused on ensuring children are transported safely—no matter the situation.
Ride Safe SWLA was inspired by a conversation at United Way Southwest Louisiana’s Annual Meeting between President and CEO Denise Durel and a deputy with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office. As part of United Way’s ongoing commitment to listening and responding to community needs, Durel shared that if there were gaps or challenges affecting local families, United Way stood ready to help.
In that moment, the deputy shared that officers frequently encounter situations in which children are not in proper car seats—not due to neglect, but because families may not have the resources to afford them. That conversation sparked a collaborative effort to create a solution that supports both child safety and families in real time.
Ride Safe SWLA was created to address real-life situations when a child may not have access to a proper car seat during a traffic stop or in an unexpected circumstance. Through this Initiative, participating law enforcement agencies are equipped to provide appropriate car seats on the spot, helping families meet safety requirements and, most importantly, protecting children on the road.
Car seats provided through Ride Safe SWLA are distributed at the discretion of participating law enforcement agencies during traffic stops or other on-scene situations where a child’s safety is at risk. Ride Safe SWLA is not a public distribution program, but rather a collaborative effort to address immediate needs and ensure children can travel safely in the moment.
“At the end of the day, this Initiative is about keeping kids safe,” said Denise Durel, President and CEO of United Way Southwest Louisiana. “We know that situations happen, and Ride Safe SWLA allows our partners in law enforcement to step in with a solution that supports families while prioritizing child safety.”
Rather than focusing on penalties, Ride Safe SWLA emphasizes education, prevention, and immediate support—ensuring that every child leaves the scene safely and securely.
United Way Southwest Louisiana extends sincere appreciation to the dedicated partners who are helping bring this Initiative to life, including the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, Sulphur Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Ward 3 Marshal's Office, and Ward 4 Marshal's Office. Their commitment to protecting the community and working collaboratively ensures that Ride Safe SWLA can make a meaningful impact across the region.
Ride Safe SWLA reflects United Way’s ongoing commitment to building stronger, safer communities by meeting people where they are and providing practical, compassionate solutions.