It only took about five minutes.
A Hamilton police safety blitz designed to keep kids safe in school zones nabbed two alleged speeders and a number of other alleged traffic violators in just a few minutes at a Stoney Creek public school Monday morning.
Protecting All Students Safely (PASS) was launched at R.L. Hyslop Monday and will travel to schools across the city over the rest of the school year, said Const. Chris Camilleri, the project leader.
The project was initiated over concerns of speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, illegal parking and failing to stop for school buses and crossing guards.
"There have been a lot of ongoing complaints," said Camilleri, noting speeding and not stopping for school buses topped the list of concerns.
Even with numerous officers in bright yellow coats on the scene, parents were dropping off their children in no-stopping zones during the program launch. That's a $75 fine.
"People just don't realize," Camilleri said after talking to one mother who stopped illegally. "They say they don't know but look, there's a sign right there."
Sure enough, parent after parent dropped their children in the no-stopping zone, each getting a warning from police.
City bylaw enforcement supervisor Ellen Enriquez said it's a common complaint.
"We have zero tolerance (for illegal parking and stopping) around schools," she said. "We are giving out tickets every day."
Enriquez said the presence of bylaw officers seems to do little to stop the trend.
"They won't park there when they see a bylaw officer but the next day they are back again."
Hyslop principal Brian Playfair said speeding in front of his Lake Avenue school is a concern.
"Cars zip around the corner all the time. And if there are cars stopped in front of the school, they don't see them on time."
Camilleri said the program is "just about educating the parents" to keep school zones safe across all areas of the city. He hopes to get to as many schools as he can by June.
"We can't target every school, but we are going to try."
Camilleri urged parents to check signs and become familiar with the drop-off zones at their child's school. He also said all drivers should slow down in school zones.
Anyone interested in having a safety blitz at their school can email ccamilleri@hamiltonpolice.on.ca or call 905-546-4757.
dchurchill@thespec.com
A Hamilton police safety blitz designed to keep kids safe in school zones nabbed two alleged speeders and a number of other alleged traffic violators in just a few minutes at a Stoney Creek public school Monday morning.
Protecting All Students Safely (PASS) was launched at R.L. Hyslop Monday and will travel to schools across the city over the rest of the school year, said Const. Chris Camilleri, the project leader.
The project was initiated over concerns of speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, illegal parking and failing to stop for school buses and crossing guards.
"There have been a lot of ongoing complaints," said Camilleri, noting speeding and not stopping for school buses topped the list of concerns.
Even with numerous officers in bright yellow coats on the scene, parents were dropping off their children in no-stopping zones during the program launch. That's a $75 fine.
"People just don't realize," Camilleri said after talking to one mother who stopped illegally. "They say they don't know but look, there's a sign right there."
Sure enough, parent after parent dropped their children in the no-stopping zone, each getting a warning from police.
City bylaw enforcement supervisor Ellen Enriquez said it's a common complaint.
"We have zero tolerance (for illegal parking and stopping) around schools," she said. "We are giving out tickets every day."
Enriquez said the presence of bylaw officers seems to do little to stop the trend.
"They won't park there when they see a bylaw officer but the next day they are back again."
Hyslop principal Brian Playfair said speeding in front of his Lake Avenue school is a concern.
"Cars zip around the corner all the time. And if there are cars stopped in front of the school, they don't see them on time."
Camilleri said the program is "just about educating the parents" to keep school zones safe across all areas of the city. He hopes to get to as many schools as he can by June.
"We can't target every school, but we are going to try."
Camilleri urged parents to check signs and become familiar with the drop-off zones at their child's school. He also said all drivers should slow down in school zones.
Anyone interested in having a safety blitz at their school can email ccamilleri@hamiltonpolice.on.ca or call 905-546-4757.
dchurchill@thespec.com