By Pat Culverhouse
Webster Parish schools officially opened for a full-day’s business Friday, and one expects to see some children walking to their respective campus, parents dropping off young ones and busses coming and going.
Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said there’s something else individuals, especially motorists, will be seeing at and near a school campus in the city limits.
“We’re going to have patrol officers at the schools, maybe even in unmarked units, to make sure there’s a safe environment for our school kids,” he said.
McIver said his officers will be strictly enforcing school zone speed limits which will be clearly marked by flashing signs near each campus.
“There’s always those drivers who don’t think the speed limit changes along their roadway, but the signs will clearly mark a pretty dramatic reduction in the limit,” he said. “Drivers should pay special attention when they approach a school campus.”
Officers will also be watching for individuals who may be driving while distracted, the chief said.
“It’s never safe to text or receive and read texts on your cell phone while you’re driving, but it’s certainly isn’t good while you’re driving near schools,” he said. “It only takes a second for a child to dart into a street heading to school and a driver with their head down, reading or sending a text can be distracted for just the second that could cause a tragedy.”
McIver said officers will be especially watching for vehicles which may pass a school bus that is stopped to pick up or drop off students.
“If that bus is stopped with its lights blinking and the signs displayed, a vehicle must not drive around or past in the opposite lane,” he said. “That is simply too dangerous, and it will be a very quick ticket.”
McIver said fines for violations in school zones can be higher than normal, an encouragement for individuals to obey the laws.
“All we’re asking is for our drivers to be very careful around the school zones,” he said. “It never pays to be in a hurry where the safety of children may be involved.”