Police remind drivers and students to follow safety tips

As Denver Public Schools students go back to school Monday, Denver police are ramping up outreach and enforcement for commuters driving, riding and walking near school zones.

The number of commuters increases when the academic school year starts — including bikers and pedestrians — around bus stops, schools and surrounding neighborhoods.

At least an additional 20 to 30 officers will be in and around schools in the district for the first couple of weeks, as they do every year, as well as increase enforcement efforts to ensure safety, Denver police officer Kurt Barnes said on Sunday. That number includes all of the department’s traffic operations officers before the school day starts and after it ends. Some officers will also be flagging outside school zones.

Barnes shared tips for students and commuters Sunday at Valdez Elementary School, preparing for the 95,000 students that are getting ready to start the new school year at schools in the largest school district in the state.

“We want to make sure that their first day of school is enjoyable and safe,” Barnes said.

For children getting rides, Barnes said police want to remind them not to dart across the street or in between two cars in traffic, use crosswalks and obey pedestrian laws. If they’re on bikes, he urges them to wear protective helmets and gears and follow traffic laws.

For drivers, Barnes said they need to be aware that speed limits are reduced in school zones whether they see flashing lights or regular stationary signs. Fines are doubled in school zones and tickets could be up to $300.

“School zone enforcement … is year-round,” Barnes said. “We’re just trying to make the (increased) presence right now so people are aware.”

Parents shouldn’t drop students off mid-block or encourage them to cross mid-block because that’s where many crashes occur, he said.