As summer winds down and a new school year begins, I want to take a moment to speak directly to our Chesterfield community about an important topic—safety.
In the coming days, you’ll notice a shift in our daily routines. Children will be gathering at bus stops in the early morning hours, school buses will be back on the roads, and young high school drivers—some of them new to driving—will be heading to and from school. Many adults, after months of not having to navigate around school-related traffic, will also be adjusting to these changes during their morning and afternoon commutes.
As your Chief of Police, and as someone who cares deeply about the safety of everyone in our town, I am asking for your help in making this school year a safe one for all.
Here are a few reminders as we transition back to school-season traffic:
Watch for children at bus stops—especially during early morning hours when visibility is lower.
Obey all school bus stop-arm laws. When a bus is stopped with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended, vehicles in both directions must stop.
Slow down in school zones and watch for crossing guards and pedestrians.
Be patient with new drivers. Some of our young people are just beginning to drive and may need extra space and understanding.
Avoid distractions. Put your phone down and keep your eyes on the road.
Let’s all commit to being a little more alert and a little more patient as our students return to school. A few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference.
Thank you for helping us keep Chesterfield a safe place to live, learn, and grow.
Stay safe,
Chief Joey Cole
Chesterfield Police Department