PPB Conducts Back To School Missions (Photo) -08/26/18

****Media opportunity: August 27, 2018, 8 a.m.-8:45 a.m.; Vernon Elementary School, located at 2044 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland, OR**** The Portland Police Bureau's Traffic Division and Youth Services Division are focused on back to school missions to help keep Portland's students safe as they return to school this week. Portland Public School students and some private and charter schools are scheduled to go back to school on Monday, August 27, 2018, while other local school districts, (e.g.: David Douglas, Centennial, Reynolds, Parkrose) will begin after Labor Day. To increase awareness of the start of the school year, the Portland Police Bureau will be conducting high visibility patrols around all schools as part of its annual "Back to School" safety campaign. This campaign will kick off on Monday, August 27, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. at Vernon Elementary School. Chief Danielle Outlaw will join with the staff of Vernon, and officers from the Traffic Division and Youth Services Division to welcome students to school and highlight traffic safety around schools. The Portland Police Bureau Youth Services Division, Traffic Division and precinct patrol officers will be providing a highly visible police presence in and around local schools. Officers, including Photo Radar Units, will be enforcing traffic laws in these zones to reduce the number of crashes in school zones and to create a safe environment for students returning to school. There will be emphasis placed on traffic safety and traffic education for the students, bicyclists and drivers of motorized vehicles during the morning hours when students arrive at their schools and in the afternoon hours when the schools dismiss their students. Please remember: * If you're driving, obey the 20 mph speed limit in school zones. * Be vigilant and courteous to children crossing the street. * If you're a parent, consider walking or biking to school with your students where possible to reduce congestion, improve safety and provide young people with needed physical activity. Remind children to: * Never walk while texting or talking on the phone. * If texting, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk. * Never cross the street while using an electronic device. * Do not walk with headphones on. * Be aware of the surroundings. Finally, watch for school buses. Remember, if yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop. For more information on the Portland Safe Routes to School program visit http://www.saferoutesportland.org About the Youth Services Division The Portland Police Youth Services Division's School Resource Officers provides services to all school districts, which includes approximately 200 schools in 7 school districts (not including private and charter schools). The Bureau's 12 School Resource Officers will service the approximately 100,000 students. Each SRO has obtained the basic and advanced certification courses by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO). In addition to this national and regional training, Portland's SROs also attended Oregon training hosted by the Oregon School Resource Officers Association (OSROA). For the school year of 2017/18, PPB's YSD was awarded the Model Agency of the Year Award by NASRO. For more information about School Resource Officers, visit: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/30569 ###PPB###