Lately, we have heard concerns from Brentwood citizens in regards to traffic concerns in and around our schools. Speeding, inattention, congestion, are the frequent complaints. Suggestions include increased police presence, change in traffic patterns, more signs, turn this way and turn that way, and many others.
These concerns are not new. They have been around as long as schools and cars have coexisted. Our schools have been in the same location for many years. The change, over the years, has been the number of kids who are driven to school.
Our schools have tried to set up safety guidelines and traffic patterns that will best ensure the safety of their students. They do this because they genuinely care about the safety of their students.
Our department has set up enforcement details and tried to have more of a presence during the high traffic times, but we cannot be there all the time.
The responsibility for the safety of the children rests solely with those driving near the schools. The residents in the neighborhoods adjoining the schools and the general public who drive through our town, share some that responsibility, however, the parents driving their kids to school are the ones who will determine the success of any safety initiative.
Every morning, before I come to work at the PD, I make a point to drive by at least one of our schools. I drive really slow. I stop at the stop signs for several seconds. If the guy driving behind me is irritated; too bad. All of us need to bring it down a notch when we drive by our schools. Take your time. Pay attention. Obey your schools traffic guidelines for drop-off and pick-up. It is our responsibility to drive safely around our schools. Our kids deserve our best effort.