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Law Enforcement Patrols in Onondaga County to Ensure Student Safety for Back to School

John Smith
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WAER News

Driver’s will be get reacquainted to programming themselves to be extra observant for students and yellow school buses with flashing lights as a new school year begins this week in Onondaga County.  Law enforcement from Cicero, DeWitt, Geddes, Liverpool, and North Syracuse came together today at Liverpool Elementary to remind drivers it’s time for them to be more vigilant.  North Syracuse Police SGT. Jeff Tripp says drivers will be watched closely.

“We will be using regular patrols but, we will be using grant-funded patrols to enforce the speed in the school zone. We will be following school buses around to make sure there’s no violations of anybody passing any of the school buses with the red Lights.”

School Alum and Village of Liverpool Trustee Christina Fadden-Fitch recalled walking to and from school in the Village utilizing cross walks.

“We all care about our children. Sometimes life is hectic but, drivers need to be aware of how important it is to stay safe in the school zones and around the school buses for all of our kids to keep them safe.”

Credit John Smith / WAER News
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WAER News
Village of Liverpool Trustee Christina Fadden-Fitch.

Authorities plan to be out enforcing the laws and issuing tickets to offenders as a part of the “Schools Open Safely” program.  School Bus Driver Grace DeJohn wants drivers to comply with the law to stop for school buses as students are boarding or exiting.  She also teaches students to be aware of their surroundings.

“It’s really sad that I have to say that there are motorists out there that pass my reds every single day. Those kids are my kids. I look at them like they’re mine. I take care of them. I’m their guardian for the day in the morning and the afternoon. So, I want to teach them the danger that’s outside the bus and there’s many dangers. We tell them to check before you step. You want to check the step before you even step out there because there could be a motorist, a bicyclist, a motorcyclist, somebody walking. It could be anything.”

Credit John Smith / WAER News
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WAER News
School Bus Driverc Grace DeJohn

Drivers who pass a stopped school bus with the red lights activated on either side of the road can be fined up to $400 and ordered 30 days in jail.  Drivers who get a second offense within three years are fined $750 and could spend up to 180 days in jail.  School speed zones will be enforced between the hours of 7 AM to 6 PM.  Look for the flashing posted speed limits and other signage indicating crosswalks.  When on school grounds, it's also against the law to pass a parked school bus in a driveway.  SGT. Tripp also discourages student walkers from looking at their phones so they can pay better attention to the traffic around them.  He says they should also stay off the side of the road. 
 

John Smith has been waking up WAER listeners for a long time as our Local Co-Host of Morning Edition with timely news and information, working alongside student Sportscasters from the Newhouse School.