Special School Zone Enforcement Effort Underway
Shannon Williams - Tue 02:50 PM 03/06/2012
Beginning this week, Salina Police and Saline County Sheriff Deputies are joining other law enforcement across Kansas in being extra-vigilant when patrolling around schools.
Beginning this week, Salina Police and Saline County Sheriff Deputies are joining other law enforcement across Kansas in being extra-vigilant when patrolling around schools. Officers are specifically looking for drivers who are speeding, texting or failing to buckle up.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, they are combating what has been an epidemic for the past several years. In 2010, 51 teens lost their lives due to car crashes in Kansas; 75% of those killed were not restrained.
In an effort to change this trend, law enforcement across Kansas will be extra-vigilant when patrolling around schools. For more than twenty years, officers have educated and warned passengers and drivers regarding the importance of using restraints while in their vehicle.
Officers will issue citations to any individual who refuses to obey the traffic laws, whether it is for speeding, texting, or failing to buckle up.
"These young people are our future, and we don't want to lose any one of them in a traffic crash," Colonel Ernest E. Garcia, superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, said. "We will actively enforce the traffic laws in, and around, schools in an effort to help everyone travel to and from safely. We care about these young people, and want them to be protected, should they be involved in crash."
The special enforcement effort is scheduled to last a couple of weeks.
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Iamgonnagetu
Tuesday 6 March 2012 15:36 Report this comment
What a bunsh of bull. It seems all law enforcement takes taxpayer's money each payday and are expected to providing these services 24/7 365 days a year. Stories such as this tells us that as tax payers we are not getting these services only when someone devises these special programs. If this is the case then there needs to be alot of adjustment with the heads of all these departments.
srjayhawks
Tuesday 6 March 2012 19:11 Report this comment
Well, I think they should be doing anything "special", they should be doing this all the time....
troy
Tuesday 6 March 2012 21:23 Report this comment
To all local law enforcement: While you're out there, do us all a favor......write some tickets to those folks with the BOOM, BOOM, BOOM BOOM BA BOOM, BOOM BOOM stereos. I can give you several locations to hang out and make the city a ton of cash. 1) Caseys @ 9th & Crawford, Any Quik Trip, Central and South High parking lots, all 3 strip malls, Dillon's sunset, Wal Mart parking lot, any McDonalds drive through. When you're done with the school zones, head to these spots and get after it. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM BOOM BA BOOM, BOOM BOOM......BOOM, BOOM, BOOM BOOM BA BOOM, BOOM BOOM.......BOOM, BOOM, BOOM BOOM BA BOOM, BOOM BOOM! Irritating, isn't it......BOOM, BOOM, BOOM BOOM BA BOOM, BOOM BOOM
Ksomething
Tuesday 6 March 2012 22:40 Report this comment
I bet after a few days of kids bringing home tickets and insurance rates going up you will all be crying about the Police picking on your kids. If half of you were decent parents you would teach them to wear their seatbelts and there wouldn't be a problem.
jn2630
Wednesday 7 March 2012 07:41 Report this comment
So basically what they are saying is they are stepping up efforts to catch drivers going 30 in 20mph school zones. Cause maybe you cops don't know this but kids don't dont only drive in school zones
Freewill
Wednesday 7 March 2012 07:47 Report this comment
Does this apply to the officer I witnessed talking on his cell phone in a school zone? Or the other female officer typing on a computer in a school zone? Salina police under the current leadership is nothing short of hypocritical.
BillyBob
Wednesday 7 March 2012 08:37 Report this comment
@Troy.....Cry me a river! This has nothing to do with loud music you dirtbag!! Get a set of ear plugs or move to the country!!
Ksomething
Wednesday 7 March 2012 09:25 Report this comment
The last time I checked it wasn't illegal to talk on your phone or use a laptop while driving. I think there is a seatbelt law though. I have been very generous giving warnings to people in Salina for running lights, stop signs, cutting people off, etc.... If you think we need to crack down everywhere great. No more warnings.
Iamgonnagetu
Wednesday 7 March 2012 14:10 Report this comment
Ksomething how about trying to catch the crooks, thrives, murderers and druggies. That's important not whether one has a seat belt on or not. Also driving around with a cell phone two your ear while working and being paid by the taxpayers is dead wrong. My employer will not let me use my cell while working so why should you be able to use yours while working?
Ksomething
Wednesday 7 March 2012 16:36 Report this comment
I personally could care less if an adult wears a seatbelt. You wreck and I will scrape you up without batting an eye. Children don't have the right to choose. That's why the enforcement is directed in the school areas. As for the phone issue, my heart bleeds for you because you can't use the phone. If your spelling is any indication of your work I bet you are not allowed to chew gum either!
Freewill
Wednesday 7 March 2012 17:53 Report this comment
@ksomething, Thanks for the info. I will just e-mail from my laptop while driving. Maybe even surf the net?
Ksomething
Wednesday 7 March 2012 18:01 Report this comment
Glad I could help! The law changed a couple of years ago. You can mount a laptop in your can just like the Police and you are good to go! Happy surfing!
THEENFORCER
Thursday 8 March 2012 10:24 Report this comment
kssomething you are a jerk and probably some wanna be cop. If you are a cop then you should be fired immediately for using your cell phone during working hours. Maybe the chief can get off his butt and look into why several cops always are talking on their cell phones you can see it everyday. did you find any spelling errors? LOL
THEENFORCER
Thursday 8 March 2012 10:29 Report this comment
BY THE WAY CROOKS now you know where the cops will be during the times the kids go to school and leave so breaking into houses or stealing should be alot easier during these times. Law enforcement is so unbelievable anymore. Also before anyone says don't call a cop when you need one I surely won't I got enought of an arsenal to take care of matters myself. They then can come out when they are not in school zones or running traffic lane checks and pick up whats left of these crooks.