Press
Release		The City of Palo Alto
Public Information Office

250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301

09/16/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #091609
Subject :

Police Focus on School Zones for “Operation Safe Passage”
Contact :Sergeant Dan Ryan, Palo Alto Police Department    408.406.1330
Palo Alto, CA -  Palo Alto police, allied with all law enforcement agencies in Santa Clara County, are participating this week in Operation Safe Passage, a traffic enforcement program designed to increase the safety of students commuting to school. 

Police are involved in special patrols throughout the week; they will be stationed in and around all local school zones, primarily during school commute hours. They will focus on violations by motorists as well as commuting students, and citations are being issued for these listed violations:

  • Failing to stop for school buses with flashing stop lights
  • Speeding vehicles
  • Failing to yield to pedestrians
  • Jaywalking
  • Bicyclists without required helmets, properly worn
  • Seat belt and child restraint seat violations
  • Cell phone or texting violations
  • Stop sign violations

Operation Safe Passage is a program that is put into play three times yearly, usually after students are returning to school following breaks or vacations.

"School commute safety is a year-round issue," said Traffic Sergeant Robert Bonilla, “and this is just a reminder for all commuters to slow down and exercise extra care in the school zones. Regular patrol officers will supplement the traffic team members in this week's detail.”

Anyone wishing to report chronic traffic problems may call Sargeant Bonilla at 650-329-2683.



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