Page 1 -- FYI for September 2003 -- Oak Park, IL

With the new school year now underway, Oak Park police have stepped up their presence both on the street and inside the buildings to ensure student safety.

Outside, police are focusing on key crossings and walking routes to protect the many students who typically trek along Oak Park streets en route to their neighborhood schools. Inside, the school resource officer program that has proven so successful at Oak Park and River Forest High School has been expanded to the middle schools, where a police officer is now assigned to each school for the entire day.

On the Street

The yellow caution barriers that became a fixture last year are back at 27 key locations around the village. The barriers will remain up during school hours as a safety reminder.

Drivers who don't take extra care near the schools are likely to quickly see flashing lights in their rearview mirrors.

Police are targeting a different location in the Village each day for extra enforcement effort at least through September. Teams of officers will use radar to monitor driving speeds and then issue tickets to motorists who exceed the speed limit, which is 25 mph on most Oak Park streets, but only 20 mph in school zones when children are present.

Urging motorists driving in school zones to stay focused, police hope drivers will avoid distractions like talking on cell phones. Coming to a complete stop at intersections is important, too, as is not stopping in crosswalks. Drivers also must obey the signals of crossing guards and should never attempt to pass a stopped school bus with lights flashing.

In addition, a new state law now allows law enforcement officers to stop motorists if they or their front seat passengers are not wearing seatbelts. Prior to the change in the law, seat belt violations were cited only if the driver was stopped for another infraction.

In the Schools

An Oak Park police officer in the high school is a long-standing tradition, expected to easily adapt to the middle schools. The presence of a police officer inside the school building can act not only as a deterrent to serious misbehavior, but also help foster a positive image of the police among the students. In addition, by being in the school every day, these officers can offer valuable insight into issues and serve as effective liaisons between school administrators, the Police Department and the Village.

For more information on the Oak Park Police Department's school programs, call 386.3800 or email police@oak-park.us.