HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-2006 SBPD Back-to-School Safety Blitz—slated for Tuesday, August 29, 2006 South Bend Police Department
701 West Sample Street
South Bend, Indiana 46601
Monday,August 28,2006
InRe: SBPD Back-to-School Safety Blitz—slated for Tuesday,August 29, 2006
Media Alert
Summer's on its way out, school's in session and many feel the time flew by too fast.
And South Bend Police Department officers will be out in force on Tuesday morning,
August 29, cautioning motorists against"flying"too fast through school zones. People
are expected to slow down and heed posted speed limits of 25-miles-per-hour. Some
zones are also equipped with flashing lights, and in short, speeders may be seeing a squad
car's flashing light bar if they don't obey the law.
Speeding drivers will be apt to get the book thrown at them with a $1 fine for every mile
per hour over the speed limit, plus court costs. An average tally is $100; a rather pricey
lesson.
"We're not here to make lives miserable; but we are trying to prevent misery resulting
from injuries or lost lives...From first hand experience, I can tell you trying to gain a few
minutes is not worth putting any person, and especially innocent children, in danger,"
stated Traffic Sgt. Bill Kraus.
Kraus said police understand the back-to-school transition can be overwhelming with
families adjusting to new schedules, schools, and even traffic and road conditions or
construction. While the SBPD has given motorists a few extra weeks to fine-tune their
route plan before this school zone safety blitz, they still must be aware that officers are
not going to ignore lawbreakers just to give them a break.
"Break the law and you are fair game," said Kraus,noting that even outside of special
traffic details like this one,the SBPD assigns officers to monitor public and parochial
school zones on their daily beat, focusing on drop-off and pick-up times.
Capt. Terry Young explained, "It's all about keeping South Bend's streets and families
safe...and our biggest school zone violators are often the parents. Please follow your
school's instructions and use extra caution around the parked cars...watching out for all
the kids going back to school."
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Teri Lanning
Public Information/Public Relations
574-235-7682