Syringe safety PSA makes its point

FRANKLIN — As four students frolic around a school playground, one notices something white and thin lying in the mulch: a hypodermic needle.

“Hey, what’s that?” she asks, jumping to her feet after gliding down a slide.

“No, stop, don’t touch that,” her friend replies, quickly putting his hand out to stop her. “It’s sharp: It could hurt you.”

The scene plays out in a minute-and-a-half-long video produced by Franklin High School students as a public service announcement on what children should to do if they find a syringe.

Video production and theater students worked with the police and fire departments on the project.

"The high school students did a great job collaborating with local public safety officials to create this important public service announcement," Police Chief Stephan Semerjian said. "Together, we can help ensure our community stays safe."

Police officials believe the video is important in light of an incident in May in which an 8-year-old boy was pricked by a syringe he discovered at Fletcher Field.

Now on YouTube, the video stresses that if children find a syringe, they should not touch it and call the police, or “Stop. Don’t touch. Call 911,” as Franklin police Sgt. Christopher Spillane instructs students in the video.

Spillane and firefighter Charles Bailey arrive at the playground after the students decide to call 911. Wearing protective gloves, Bailey carefully picks up the needle and places it in a safe container.

"Glad you guys called us," Spillane tells them. "If someone accidentally got pricked with this, they could get hurt, or even worse, they could get sick."

“If the person who used that needle had HIV or hepatitis, it could be transmitted to you through a needle stick,” Bailey explains.

Matt Tota can be reached at 508-634-7521 or mtota@wickedlocal.com.