NCSO participates in Operation Safe Schools
Yulee, Fla. – The Florida Sheriff’s Task Force put on a state-wide initiative called Operation Safe Schools. The initiative was aimed at educating and heightening the awareness of local drivers in school zones.
Nassau County deputies took part in Operation Safe Schools with enhanced traffic enforcement within local school zones. The ultimate goal is protecting children coming to and from school. Over the four week period, deputies reminded drivers that school zones were up and running again for the new school year. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper says deputies also educated drivers on the speed limit in school zones.
“All school zones in Nassau County are all properly posted, so everyone should recognize that and know where the school zones are located in their neighborhoods,” said Sheriff Leeper.
38 Florida counties participated in Operation Safe Schools, and over a 4 week period, deputies handed out close to 6,000 citations statewide for school zone violations. Results also show that deputies across the state issued more than 9,000 warnings for school zone violations.
On a local scale, Nassau county deputies issued 52 warnings for school zone violations, 4 warnings for pedestrian violations, and 2 warnings for bicycle violations. Deputies were also surprised to find parents using their cell phones in school pick-up and drop-off lines.
“It was disappointing to see. We are hoping that they will take the appropriate steps and put their phone somewhere out of reach,” said Sheriff Leeper.
Sheriff Leeper recommends that parents spend more time talking with their child and less time on their phone. “Spend that few minutes with your child dropping them off and picking them up. Put your phone down and put it somewhere so you are not enticed to use it. That 5 minutes will probably be very rewarding for your child,” said Sheriff Leeper.
