CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Over the past few days in the Coastal Bend two infants died after being left inside a hot car. Now, Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez is looking to start a media campaign to try and keep any more incidents from ever happening.
3NEWS caught up with Tamez at a police chief's luncheon where he laid out the facts for the group about how serious this issue is right now in our area.
"There's about 40 a year; 40 child deaths a year related to heat strokes in vehicles," Tamez said. "Breaks down about three a month throughout the entire country and we've already had two in the last 24 hours in the Coastal Bend."
The Coastal Bend Chief of Police Association luncheon focused attention on the issue of children being left cars, something the chiefs want to help put an end to.
"So we definitely need to get out to our individual cities and get that out there as a reminder," Sinton Police Chief Eugenio De Leon said. "There's already gadgets out there that we give out free for the safety of our Children, so let's just add another one, you know, so we can save these angels."
Alice Police Chief Eden Garcia is now looking at purchasing some very expensive car seats that have a sensor to alert parents.
"We're looking hopefully to raise some money to try and purchase these car seats and I think it would be great for our community," Garcia said. "Now, we can't outfit all our community, but we can sure try to help those in need."
Refugio Police Chief Enrique Diaz said it's a shame that we're having to rely on technology to remember not to forget about a baby in the backseat.
"I think, I think as a whole or, as a society, we are not slowing down," Diaz said. "We're trying to live life too fast."
Another simple solution was offered by Aransas Pass Police Chief Eric Blanchard.
"Like for a woman, throw your purse, throw your shoes, throw your cell phone and purse in the back seat, so that you'll be sure to get your phone and it's just one of those fundamental core reminding things, right," Blanchard said.
Tamez is also working to get a streamlined message out to everyone.
"Our message is going to be simple," he said. "We're gonna start pushing out to the citizens that we speak with just to remind folks to stop, look and lock their doors."
Hopefully, all of these ideas will help to keep another child from becoming the next victim left inside of a hot car in South Texas.