CHP Taskforce Raises School Traffic Safety Awareness

00:00 AM - September 26, 2017

To keep students safe during the first days of school and to enhance safety awareness throughout the year, Placerville CHP implemented a special task force that provided extra patrol around campuses in August. The School-Zone: Traffic Safety Enforcement Operation, included Officers Ian Hoey, Mike Powers, Andrew Brown, Brent McElmurry, Brian Schneider, and Sergeant Varao. During this time, Officers issued warnings, but also wrote tickets for traffic violations such as speeding, failure to obey school crossing guards, failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failure to stop at stop signs, failure to stop for school buses with red lights activated, jaywalking, and more.

“The students and community are always our highest priority, and this large presence makes students that much safer during an exciting time of the school year,” Officer Hoey expressed. “Kids are not as alert during this time, and everyone must stay vigilant to keep them safe. We are here to protect the students and the public as much as possible.”

Several officers were already scheduled to work extra hours at the beginning of the school year, and the Community and School Resource Officer program set the plan in motion that provided the funding necessary for additional units. Officers were stationed at schools in the El Dorado Hills, Placerville, and Divide areas over the course of three days. Schools that were provided with extra patrolling included Ponderosa High School, Rolling Hills Middle School, Silva Valley Elementary School, Oak Meadow Elementary School, Oak Ridge High School, Union Mine High School, Pleasant Grove Middle School, Green Valley Elementary School, Golden Sierra Junior-Senior High School, and Northside School.

At Northside School, Aide Christina Kay, helped direct traffic and students.  She appreciated CHP’s increased efforts on the first day of school by praising the efforts of the Officers, ”We are always glad to see the Officers on our campus because it makes it easier to monitor the area. It’s a great presence on the first day of school when people aren’t paying attention like they should be.”

Placerville CHP Commander, Lieutenant Matt Stover, noted, “Throughout this campaign and the entire school year, we will continue to patrol all of the County schools.”

The partnership between Placerville CHP and El Dorado County schools is uniquely close, as Officers work hand-in-hand with Superintendents and Principals on a daily basis to support students, educators, and families. Recently, Officer Mike Powers spoke at Gold Trail School’s back-to-school night to reassure parents of their commitment to keep everyone safe and to explain the reasons for certain traffic laws. “We are grateful for Placerville CHP’s continued commitment to our schools,” County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ed Manansala, stated. “The strength of this partnership will help our communities for years to come.”

For more information about Placerville CHP.

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