City Police Working to Get Ready for New School Year; Explorers Assisting

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Published on August 13 2015 9:16 am
Last Updated on August 13 2015 9:27 am
Written by Greg Sapp

(LEFT TO RIGHT: CITY POLICE OFFICER TOM WEBB, EXPLORERS NATHANIEL HOOKS, ISAIAH HOOKS, BRADEN HARRIS AND AIDAN MALONEY, AND CITY POLICE INVESTIGATOR JOHN MAGUIRE)

The Effingham Police Department is requesting community assistance in protecting our most valuable resource. As fall approaches parents and children prepare for the back to school season.

When school resumes on August 19th certain school related hazards present themselves after the summer break. The Effingham Police Department seeks your help in protecting our children by following these simple tips for vigilance:

1. Exercise extreme caution within school zones. This tip applies for both children and motorists alike. Certain distractions present themselves from within the vehicle and from outside the vehicle. Vehicle distractions within the vehicle include the radio, passengers, cell phones, and portable media devices. Vehicle distractions from outside the vehicle include other motorists and environmental conditions, such as the morning sun or rain.

2. Utilize awareness and caution during school times. This tip applies to motorists when school children are gathering at bus stops, utilizing cross walks, crossing guards, and loading/ unloading school buses. Stopped school busses may be obscured by other motorists that are stopped. Crossing guards may not be witnessed due to other stopped vehicles or environmental conditions. This tip applies to all roads, including crossing areas during 7:30am-8:30am, 11:30am-12:30pm, and 2:30pm-3:30pm.

3. Provide yourself with adequate time for your appointment. This tip applies to motorists who may be dropping children off at school, going to work or other appointments during school times. This allows for safe driving habits at posted speed limits within and external to school zones.

4. Talk to your children regarding school hazards. This tip applies to young motorists and all youth alike. Explain the unique hazards within school zones, reinforce the necessity to cross at school crossings, reinforce school zone speed limits, and understand distractions that may affect safe driving.

With your assistance we can ensure a safe school year. By exercising extreme caution within school zones, utilizing caution during school times, providing ample time to attend appointments, and discussing school hazards with your children we can attain a safe school year.

The Effingham Police Department is placing signs to remind motorists that school is in session. Police will also be conducting increased patrols during school hours to remind motorists of applicable laws. As a reminder, speed limits within school zones are 20 MPH when children are present, obey school crossing guards, do not pass school busses with the stop arm activated, and refrain from electronic devices within school zones.

(CITY POLICE EXPLORERS NATHANIEL HOOKS AND ISAIAH HOOKS PLACING SCHOOL SAFETY SIGNS ALONG TEMPLE AVENUE)

The Effingham Police Explorer post assisted in placing seventy “school’s open” safety signs throughout Effingham Wednesday night. Signs were placed along roadsides and within participating businesses.

City Police Investigator John Maguire provided, “We are continuously accepting applications for the Police Explorer Program. If you or your children are interested, contact the Effingham Police Department at 217-347-0771 and request to speak to an Explorer advisor."