‘Take your time’: JSO and school police urge drivers to slow down as back-to-school season in full swing

More than 100,000 Duval County students are back in school. Law enforcement officials want to remind drivers to be extra careful on the roads during morning and afternoon commutes as there are more buses and children on the road.

“Please slow down at crosswalks,” warned Cheryll Shannon, a crossing guard who has worked for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for three years.

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She said her favorite part of the first day…

“The smiles on the kids’ faces,” Shannon said.

But safety is a top priority for school staff and law enforcement.

“Unfortunately, we have seen some accidents in the past,” said Officer Chris Madsen, who works with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Motor Vehicle Unit.

On Monday, he pulled over three drivers while the speed limit was in effect in the school zone outside Hendricks Elementary School.

“Our goal this week is to be present in these school zones, so we want to be seen,” Madsen said. “We want everyone to see us and know that we’re going to be here and that we’re going to slow down.”

The Sheriff’s Office patrol unit and Duval County School District Police were out on the roadways Monday to ensure drivers were obeying traffic laws.

“Let’s educate the public and prevent the problem before it happens, but we are also prepared to take enforcement action,” said Chief Jackson Short of the Duval County School Police Department.

It’s especially important to be extra aware since these speed limits in school zones were not in effect over the summer, meaning your trip could take longer.

“Take your time. The school will be there,” said Officer Justin Dowling, a school safety officer in the Arlington area. “They (JSO) are out here on these streets and we are out at the schools to keep everyone safe, so anything we can do to work together, whether it’s traffic or anything else.”

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