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Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Deputy Steven Hernandez stops a car for running a stop sign in front of Portal Elementary School during Santa Clara County's first ever School Zone Crackdown Week held between Jan. 8-12th. On the first day of the program, Deputy Hernandez issued 10 traffic-violation tickets in front of the elementary school in a two-hour period.
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County chiefs execute school zone crackdown
Awareness week targets injury-causing violations
By KEVIN FAYLE
The sheriff's office joined forces with other Santa Clara law enforcement agencies and participated in a drive to raise awareness of traffic laws around schools from Jan. 8 to 12. The Santa Clara County Police Chief's Association declared last week the first ever countywide school zone crackdown, as officers patrolled areas around schools during the peak traffic hours in the morning and afternoon to try and catch drivers and pedestrians engaging in unsafe practices.
The enforcement week demonstrates to parents dropping children off at school, commuters, and children walking or biking to school that safety and the rules of the road apply to them, and that the sheriff's office means business when patrolling the school zones. During each day of the crackdown, the San Jose division of the highway patrol teamed up with allied agencies throughout the county to monitor problem school zones in each jurisdiction.
The officers took their positions at 7 a.m., and stayed on watch until the children went home in the afternoon. Officers concentrated their attention on jaywalking, speeding, bicycle helmet violations, seat belts and other transgressions that may result in collisions or injuries.
In Cupertino, sheriff's officers staked out Hyde Middle School, Sedgewick School, Monte Vista High School, and Homestead High. Officers cited drivers and educated students about pedestrian safety. Around the high schools, officers stopped and educated student drivers about the proper behavior for school zones. The officers hoped to "emphasize the importance of safe pedestrian and driving habits in the neighborhood of the schools," says Lt. Ernie Smedlund of the Westside Substation.
The sheriff's office dedicated all of its traffic units to the effort, and regular beat units also joined in during peak hours. However, the office didn't seek to just punish the offender.
"Hopefully with every citation issued, there will be an education effort to explain the reasons behind the citation, and the safety issue involved with the behavior," Lt. Smedlund explained.
The sheriff's office also hoped to alert residents in the neighborhoods around the schools about their responsibilities to ensure that the areas stay safe.
He adds neighbors have to focus on their own driving habits, as well as keep an eye out for other drivers who disregard school zone safety. "Hopefully with the neighbors' cooperation, we can work with the schools to provide as safe a neighborhood as we can," Smedlund says.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
