The California Highway Patrol, San Benito County Sheriff’s Office and The Hollister Police Department will be conducting extra patrol around the schools as they open for the 2012-2013 school year, according to an announcement.
San Benito High School will start classes on Monday; Spring Grove School and Tres Pinos School will start on Aug. 15; the Hollister School District Elementary Schools will begin the school year on Aug. 20; and Aromas-San Juan Unified School District will start on Aug. 22.
“The new school year starting means there will be traffic congestion around the schools as people get back in the habit of dropping off their kids,” said Interim Police Chief Dave Westrick, in a statement. “We want everyone to be careful, to look out for kids running in and around traffic and to do their part to avoid any vehicle accidents.”
According to the statement: The Hollister Police Department, in conjunction with CHP and the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office will have personnel on patrol specifically looking for violators around the schools.
Santa Cruz Regional 911 will also have personnel on hand to handle any extra workload as a result of having the additional units patrolling. Officers and deputies will be seeking out drivers who are driving in excess of the posted speed limits, running stop signs, driving while using cell phones and violating other laws that contribute to vehicle collisions and pedestrian accidents.
Hollister School District Superintendent Gary McIntire advised parents to, “Please drive carefully in school parking areas during student drop off and pick up times.” He also asked parents to “Help ensure the safety of children and other pedestrians on school grounds by always following directions provided by signs and school staff.”
Drivers should be aware of children walking not only near the schools grounds but throughout the City of Hollister and surrounding communities of San Benito County. Citizens are also encouraged to call 911 to report potentially dangerous traffic situations.
