A back-to-school note from the Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff’s Office Deputies and School Resource Officers will be out in force as many children will be returning to school Monday, Sept. 14.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists to be-on-the-lookout for children walking or riding their bicycles to school. Motorists should use additional caution near bus stops.

The Sheriff’s Office has a no tolerance policy for people who choose to speed in school zones or for those who illegally pass school buses. Deputies will be watching for violators. They will be writing tickets to anyone not obeying the speed limits in school zones or those illegally passing school buses.

Motorists are reminded to be especially careful around residential neighborhoods, areas with bus stops and around schools themselves. There may be more parents dropping off students and picking them up than normal. Be ready to adjust your schedule to accommodate the traffic slowdowns that occur when school is in session.

And here are some child safety tips for parents to keep in mind:

  • If your child is walking to or from school, walk the route with them beforehand. Choose the most direct way, and be sure the route has sufficient sidewalks, lighting and crossing guards. If a crossing guard is absent, be sure your child knows when it is safe to cross the street;
  • Make sure your child walks to and from school with other trusted schoolmates and follows the tried and true axiom, “Never talk to strangers;”
  • Teach your kids to obey all traffic signals when walking or biking to school;
  • When biking, be sure your child has a helmet;
  • When waiting for the school bus always stand on the sidewalk, away from the roadway. Always remain seated while on the bus;
  • Be sure your child knows a phone number where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

Please help the Sheriff’s Office make next week a fun, safe and happy return to school for our children!

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