Crime & Safety

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office: Back To School Safety Tips From The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office

On Tuesday, August 10th, some Duval County School students will be heading back to the classroom. With school back in session, citizens ...

Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from Jacksonville Police Department:

August 09, 2021

On Tuesday, August 10th, some Duval County School students will be heading back to the classroom. With school back in session, citizens are reminded to know the rules when sharing the road with school buses.

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  • To slow down near bus stops and to watch out for kids.
  • Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm means the school bus has stopped to load or unload children. Do not attempt to PASS a bus with an activated STOP arm.
  • On a two-lane road or a divided roadway with no median, all drivers in both directions must stop for buses when the STOP arm is extended.
  • Obey the traffic laws, signals and speed limits.
  • To slow down near bus stops and to watch out for kids.
  • Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm means the school bus has stopped to load or unload children. Do not attempt to PASS a bus with an activated STOP arm.
  • On a two-lane road or a divided roadway with no median, all drivers in both directions must stop for buses when the STOP arm is extended.
  • Obey the traffic laws, signals and speed limits.
    • Strangers: A big safety concern for parents is how to protect kids who are home alone after school. The favorite rule uttered by parents is: “Don't let a stranger inside the house.” It's a good rule, but should be reworded.
       
      Kids expect strangers to be “scary looking” when indeed they look like an everyday person and kids need to know that. Explain to them exactly who are the trusted adults in your world. Have very specific conversations about what is permitted and not permitted by you.  
  • Strangers: A big safety concern for parents is how to protect kids who are home alone after school. The favorite rule uttered by parents is: “Don't let a stranger inside the house.” It's a good rule, but should be reworded.
     
    Kids expect strangers to be “scary looking” when indeed they look like an everyday person and kids need to know that. Explain to them exactly who are the trusted adults in your world. Have very specific conversations about what is permitted and not permitted by you.  
    • Additionally, instead of filling your child's head with "don'ts" simply tell them to keep all the doors to the outside (including the garage) closed and locked. If someone comes to the door, your child can communicate with this person through the door. They should not tell the person at the door who is home and who is not. “My dad can’t come to the door right now, sorry” is preferred to “My dad isn’t home.” If the person won’t leave, they should be instructed to call 9-1-1 and report a suspicious person at their door.
  • Additionally, instead of filling your child's head with "don'ts" simply tell them to keep all the doors to the outside (including the garage) closed and locked. If someone comes to the door, your child can communicate with this person through the door. They should not tell the person at the door who is home and who is not. “My dad can’t come to the door right now, sorry” is preferred to “My dad isn’t home.” If the person won’t leave, they should be instructed to call 9-1-1 and report a suspicious person at their door.
    • Have a Check-In Time: It is recommended that parents ask their child to call and let a parent or guardian know that he/she has arrived home safely. Set a consistent time for the child to call you (or email/text, if allowed) each day. Give him/her 10 minutes (plus or minus to allow for a slow bus) or any other event that might occur and disrupt the schedule. You can start to worry if he/she doesn't meet this deadline. If the parent or guardian can't be reached, make sure the child knows who they should call to check in (i.e. grandparent or trusted neighbor)  
  • Have a Check-In Time: It is recommended that parents ask their child to call and let a parent or guardian know that he/she has arrived home safely. Set a consistent time for the child to call you (or email/text, if allowed) each day. Give him/her 10 minutes (plus or minus to allow for a slow bus) or any other event that might occur and disrupt the schedule. You can start to worry if he/she doesn't meet this deadline. If the parent or guardian can't be reached, make sure the child knows who they should call to check in (i.e. grandparent or trusted neighbor)  
    • Have a Plan: Parents need to remember that kids who are home alone are much more likely to encounter dangers such as fire from burning popcorn or falling down the stairs than being abducted by a stranger. It is very important that the family has a plan and knows how to react to different situations that may occur, including household emergencies. Run practice drills and make sure your child does not hesitate or deviate from the plan that you have enacted.
  • Have a Plan: Parents need to remember that kids who are home alone are much more likely to encounter dangers such as fire from burning popcorn or falling down the stairs than being abducted by a stranger. It is very important that the family has a plan and knows how to react to different situations that may occur, including household emergencies. Run practice drills and make sure your child does not hesitate or deviate from the plan that you have enacted.
  • Information for Parents & Guardians from JSO
  • Apply to become a School Crossing Guard in Duval County
  • School Bus Safety
  • Be Here for Kids Campaign - Discussion guides for different age groups along with materials for adults are available under the "Education" section.

    • This press release was produced by Jacksonville Police Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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