SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 19, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Capitol city’s mayor, police chief and school district superintendent have announced a new initiative to keep young school children safe when they are in transit between their homes and classrooms.
Operation Safe Transit will begin with a focus on two Salt Lake City schools: Mountain View Elementary and Nibley Park School.
“Our young students deserve to feel safe every step of the way to and from their schools and, in turn, their parents deserve the same peace of mind,” Salt Lake City’s Mayor Erin Mendenhall said Monday at a news conference.
“It’s crucial we all work together to ensure these transitions are safe and smooth for our students.”
Police Chief Mike Brown also spoke.
“We as police officers have a critical responsibility to help ensure the safe passage of children as they head back to school,” he said. “In school zones, there are no second chances.”
At the first two schools selected, the initiative will include highly visible, marked patrol officers who will saturate the identified areas to help serve as a deterrence to any type of crime.
The increased patrols will continue for one week and will include traffic education and enforcement, bike and walking patrol, and highly visible police presence throughout the neighborhoods near the schools.
A released statement says officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Liberty Bike, Central and Pioneer Bike Squads, Motors Squad, and School Resource Officers will be participating in this event. SLCPD District Community Liaison Officers will be walking to school with the students, parents and staff.
The SLCPD also provided safety tips for drivers and for students:
- Drivers must practice safe driving habits and be aware of the lowered 20 mile per hour speed limit.
- Drivers must follow state law school bus safety zones, including stopping when a school bus’ stop arm is extended
- Students should always look both ways before crossing streets
- Students walking to school should avoid wearing headphone or earbuds so they can be aware of their surrounding
- If a student sees something unusual or suspicious, they should alert a parent, school administrator, or a police officer right away.
Operation Safe Passage may be extended to other schools throughout the year as staffing, funding and resources allow, the statement says.
