Law Enforcement Executives
Involvement in Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs can benefit law enforcement agencies in a variety of ways. Participating in Safe Routes to School activities can draw positive attention to your agency while engaging the public on critical safety issues. Your agency can take a leading role by enhancing the quality of life in your community and by building bridges to increased cooperation and participation through law enforcement activities. Safe Routes to School ideally will involve the participation of a wide range of law enforcement officers, from Patrol Operations to School Resource Officers. Everyone can play a role.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Identify schools in your jurisdiction where speeding or other unlawful motorist behavior is a problem, particularly those that already have some students walking and/or bicycling to school. A quick speed study near several schools you suspect may have problems is one way to start.
- Bring your concerns to your local public works department. As you know, enforcement will only go so far—often engineering measures (changes to the street) are needed to slow drivers down and encourage lawful yielding to pedestrians.
- Work with members of your agency and others (if necessary) to conduct targeted enforcement activities in a two-mile zone around the school. In addition to enforcing speed limits, you can also conduct a crosswalk enforcement operation.
- Talk at a Walk to School Day event or assembly about bicycle and pedestrian safety.
- Get publicity for your activities! This will help raise awareness about the issues community-wide.
- Talking Points: Addressing Parents
Finding Funding:
Depending on your level of involvement and the extent of your program's SRTS activities, you may want to seek federal funds or assist others in doing so. Click here for more information on funding for SRTS programs.
Note: Under the Federal SRTS program, States are authorized to fund only those activities that are directed towards students in grades k–8 and within two miles of the school site.