Gresham Police Department’s traffic division is beefing up its education and enforcement of traffic laws around area schools. This focused enforcement will start immediately and continue to the end of the school year, June 22. Officers are hoping to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians; preventing accidents and instilling healthy driving practices.

Funds from a Safe Routes to Schools grant will pay for the additional, target-specific enforcement in Gresham’s school zones and surrounding areas.  Particular attention will be given to the areas around Hall Elementary School (2505 NE 23rd St., Gresham), East Gresham Elementary School (900 SE 5th St., Gresham) and North Gresham Elementary School (1001 SE 217th Ave., Gresham). 

Officers will concentrate on school zones, student pick-up and drop-off locations, and crosswalks.  Drivers who are identified as breaking laws will be stopped and may receive a citation in addition to an educational pamphlet.  

Oregon laws require drivers to obey posted speed limits, including the posted 20 MPH zones near local schools during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Drivers must also yield to pedestrians crossing streets within marked and unmarked crosswalks, stopping their vehicle before the solid white line when a crosswalk is in use and before reaching a stop sign. 

Pedestrians too must obey traffic laws, comply with posted signs, cross within crosswalks and perpendicular to the roadway. Motorists and pedestrians alike are encouraged to remain alert and help keep each other safe.