Summer is over! What? Welcome to the first day of school! The Marshalltown Police Department is urging motorists to be alert for children. Drivers should be particularly careful around schools, bus stops, and in residential areas. In an effort to help children travel to and from school safely, the Marshalltown Police Department will be increasing traffic enforcement efforts in and around school zones. Officers will be watching for a variety of traffic violations including motorists speeding through school zones, vehicles driving through school bus warning devices, and non-compliance with seat belt laws.
Drivers are reminded to:
Obey all traffic signs; stop signs, red lights, speed limit signs, etc.
DO NOT drive distracted. Put your phones and electronic devices down while driving.
Watch for clues that indicate children may be in the area; i.e. the presence of safety patrols, crossing guards, school buses, school zone signs and bus stops.
Give the right of way to pedestrians crossing the street.
Share the roadway with bicyclists.
Buckle seat belts and restrain your children in appropriate child safety seats.
If you are picking your child up from school, designate an appropriate pick-up point. Avoid blocking streets and backing up traffic when picking up your child.
DO NOT double park, or block fire lanes, while waiting to pick up your child.
Be alert for children in or around the roadway. ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO STOP.
It is also important for parents and students to take proper safety precautions. Parents are encouraged to teach their children how to get to and from school safely by:
Knowing the route to and from school.
Walking on the sidewalk when available.
Walking on the far left side of the street, facing traffic, if there is no sidewalk and it is necessary to walk in the roadway.
Using crosswalks and designated school crossings whenever possible.
Obeying the crossing guard or safety patrol person.
Obeying all traffic laws, and wearing a properly fitted helmet, when riding a bicycle.
Knowing where your child’s designated bus stop is and teaching your child which bus they should get on.
Teach your children to always follow the pre-arranged plan for getting home. Children should not go home with a classmate or someone else without prior approval from their parents. Children should go straight home or to the pre-arranged location for after school care.
Parents should know how long it takes their child to get to and from school. Parents should check in with their child to make sure they made it home from school safely.
Parents should know who their children’s friends are and where they live.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO NOT GO HOME WITH ANYONE WITHOUT A PARENT’S PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL. This includes people your child knows.
CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER GET IN A VEHICLE TO GO ANYWHERE, WITH ANYONE, WITHOUT A PARENT’S PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL.
School Resource Officer (SRO)
Officer Rod Whitmore is the School Resource Officer at Marshalltown High School. Officer Whitmore has served the Marshalltown community as a police officer for 29 years. Officer Whitmore brings a wealth of public safety knowledge, experience and many years of wisdom to this position. Officer Whitmore will be in his third year working at the high school. He is someone who has exceptional communication skills and loves working with kids. He is excited to begin the new school year. Officer Whitmore wants to build relationships with students, families and school staff. Please do not hesitate to contact Officer Whitmore at the high school if you need anything. His email address is rwhitmore@marshalltown-ia.gov.
Have a great 2018-2019 school year Marshalltown!
For more information, please contact Police Chief Michael Tupper by calling 641.754.5771 or via email at mtupper@marshalltown-ia.gov.