Page 10 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 8-21-15

Desert Wings August 21, 2015

10 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings

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by Rebecca Amber they walk their children into the school. $LU)RUFHSKRWRJUDSKE\5HEHFFD$PEHU
Staff writer This practice has caused congestion, com-
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The 412th Security Forces Squadron took promising safety in the area. $XJLQDQHIIRUWWRHQFRXUDJHVDIHSUDFWLFHVDQGVROYHFRQJHVWLRQSUREOHPVGXULQJ
education from the classroom to the parking 7KHWK6)6RI¿FHUVRQGXW\WKDWPRUQ- GURSRIIDQGSLFNXSKRXUV
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ing encouraged parents to start using the “The kids are taught the rules in school citations can be issued in parking lots too.
In an effort to promote starting the year area correctly now and expect to see condi- Vehicles should never be parked in bus or
off with a “culture of safety,” several patrol- tional “no parking” signs in the near future. and when you do something they were GHVLJQDWHG¿UHODQHV
men were on duty outside of the schools.
Their goal was to encourage motorists to “After those signs are in place, if I see taught not to do, the kids notice,” he said. )L[LQJWKHWUDI¿FSUREOHPVDWERWKVFKRROV
operate their vehicles in both a safe and le- unattended vehicles in those areas during will require motorists to work together,
gal manner. those times, they will be getting a citation,” Desert Jr.-Sr. High School is less impacted showing respect for other drivers and pe-
said Hoffman. E\WKHWUDI¿FFRQGLWLRQVWKDQ%UDQFKEH- destrians.
While they did not issue any citations that
morning, they did advise motorists to drive Motorists may also receive a citation for cause many of the students are able to drive “The more you work together, I promise
safely at all times to avoid future citations parking or manipulating their vehicle in a that drop off times will decrease and the time
during random patrols. manner that is deemed unsafe. For example, themselves to school. However, several is- needed to park and walk kids will decrease.”
there have been a number of instances where
At Branch Elementary School there are a driver made an illegal U-turn to obtain or sues still need to be addressed.
two student drop-off areas. The first, on exit a spot in the drop-off lane. &RPPRQWUDI¿FSUREOHPVDW'+6LQFOXGH
Forbes Ave., has a “kiss-and-go” lane for
students to exit the vehicle and walk them- “When you make an illegal U-turn, any running stop signs and poor parking eti-
selves into school. The lane exits onto Bailey pedestrians who have already exited their TXHWWH+RIIPDQUHPLQGVGULYHUVWKDWWUDI¿F
Ave. where motorists will see a conditional vehicles - you’re putting them in danger,”
“No Left Turn” sign that restricts left-hand Hoffman said. “You might not be able to
WXUQVIURPDPWRDP0RQGD\WKURXJK catch the kid running out of their van or
Friday. The same sign is posted at the exit of SUV.”
the main school parking lot.
An illegal U-turn is a moving violation,
In the same lot as the drop-off lane on adding the fact that it happened in a school
Forbes and Bailey Ave., there is parking zone, a driver would receive a minimum of
available for parents who wish to walk their four points assessed against their record. It
children onto the school grounds. could be more if there are any additional
hazards, such as nearly missing another car
“If everyone is going in the same direc- or person.
tion exiting the school zone, it’s safer that
way. That’s where the majority of the school “My main goal is safety for everybody,”
faculty and staff are stationed to help,” said shared Hoffman, who wants to parents em-
Staff Sgt. Jason Hoffman, 412th Security brace integrity when it comes to the rules
Forces Squadron Police Services. of the road.

As motorists drive down Bailey Ave., they As an incentive to keep practicing driver
will see a second drop-off only area by the integrity, 412th SFS will be conducting ran-
KLJKVFKRROIRRWEDOO¿HOG2YHUWLPHSDUHQWV dom patrols during the drop-off and pick-up
have gotten in the habit of parking in the hours at both schools. He noted that even
area and leaving their cars unattended while more important than avoiding a ticket is set-
ting a good example for the children in the
vehicle.

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:LWK(GZDUGV$)%¶VVFKRROVEHJLQQLQJ$XJWKH(GZDUGV%DVH/LEUDU\HQGHGWKLV Volunteers who helped out with the program and at the library were also recognized.

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Children received a prize for every 10 books they read, up to 100 books. Those who Each child that participated in the program received a themed book bag, bookmark, pencil,

FRPSOHWHGDOOERRNVGXULQJWKHSURJUDPZHUHHQWHUHGLQWRDUDIÀHIRUWKHODUJHVWSUL]HV and t-shirt. This year’s theme was music oriented — “Read to the Rhythm.”

which were handed out by the library staff. 1H[W\HDU¶VWKHPHLV³5HDGIRUWKH:LQ´GHVLJQHGDURXQGWKH2O\PSLF*DPHV