MARYSVILLE — School starts today, and police say they’ll increase patrols near schools to remind drivers to slow down.
The Marysville Police Department plans to station more officers than usual near schools for several weeks at the start of the year, police Lt. Jeff Goldman said.
“The idea here is to deter speeding and to bring people back into the mindset of school,” he said.
The department plans to reassign several officers to rotate on patrols at schools around the district, Goldman said.
“Any generated complaint will bring them back to those locations,” he said.
The police department beefs up its traffic enforcement near schools at the beginning of every school year, Goldman said. Larry Nyland, superintendent for the Marysville School District, is grateful.
“When school starts and summer ends, we’re very appreciative of the public taking note that school’s in session and they need to look out for kids,” he said.
Police are warning drivers to be extra cautious near Marysville Middle School at 4923 67th St. NE and Liberty Elementary at 1919 10th St., where the city is finishing sidewalk improvements funded through a state Safe Routes to Schools grant.
Most Marysville school zones are marked with amber flashing lights attached to a sign that reads, “School speed limit 20 mph when light is flashing or when children are present,” city spokesman Doug Buell said.
The city has installed solar-powered flashing beacons in school zones at five elementary schools, he said. These zones extend 300 feet on either side marked crosswalks. The city plans to install flashing beacons at more schools in the near future, Buell said.
Fines for traffic violations are higher in school zones than elsewhere, starting at $189 for 1 to 5 mph over the posted 20-mph speed limit and running as high as $784. The 20-mph speed limit applies on school days regardless if students are present.
No major accidents involving children near schools have taken place in the Marysville city limits in recent years, Goldman said.
“One is one too many,” he said.
In 2005, student Keito Swan, 17, was seriously injured when he was hit by a school bus near Marysville-Pilchuck High School in unincorporated Snohomish County.
Swan’s family later sued both the school district and Snohomish County, collecting $800,000 from the district and $250,000 from the county.
Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.
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