School Resumes In Greenwich On Sept. 1: Here Are Some Safety Tips

GREENWICH, CT — Students will head back to the classroom in Greenwich on Sept. 1. This means more cars and buses on the road during the morning and afternoon hours, and more children out and about near schools.

In his weekly newsletter, First Selectman Fred Camillo reminded residents to be mindful about the return to school.

"I want to take this opportunity to remind drivers that it’s against the law to pass a school bus that is stopped and has engaged the flashing lights and stop signs," Camillo said, noting that the Connecticut state "stop arm" law requires drivers to stop their vehicles at least 10 feet from the front or rear of a school bus that is displaying its flashing red signal lights, and remain there until the bus no longer displays the lights.

Any person who violates this law faces a $475 fine for the first offense. For each subsequent offense, a violator faces a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both. More details on the law can be found here.

Camillo then provided some tips from the Greenwich Police Department that families should go over with their children:

• Safety is always best in numbers. Advise your child to walk to and from school or the playground with a buddy.
• If your child feels that he or she is being followed and they have a cell phone, they should immediately call 911.
• Never talk to a stranger. Strangers with bad intentions try to trick kids into helping them. Kids should never talk or answer their questions. If they do answer, it should be something along the lines of, "Go ask an adult," or, "I do not know, I am only a kid."
• Teach your child to think on their feet. They need to keep their distance from strangers and not let someone get close enough that they could grab or touch them.
• Advise them to run or walk quickly towards an area where they see people, such as a shopping center, a home with someone outside, a busy roadway, or a park where they see people. They should never walk into an alley or location that further isolates them.
• Know your child’s walking/riding path to and from school. Determine a path together that is visible, even if it’s a slightly longer route home.
• Go directly to your destination. Pay attention to where you are going. Talking or texting on your cell phone is a good way to pass the time while you're walking, but it can distract you from noticing what's going on around you.
• Be aware of your surroundings - who is behind you and in front of you. Are there occupied cars parked along your route?
• If someone approaches you or tries to get your attention, get away immediately. Cross the street or walk the other way.