+ CITY NEWS
Syracuse City Updates Back to School Safety Parents and children are preparing for the challenges of starting a new school year during very uncertain conditions. To keep them safe, many parents will be talking to their kids about wearing masks, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. Yet, how many of those parents, while running late to get kids to school, will speed through school zones? How many of those parents, frustrated by parking problems, will have their children run across a busy street to a waiting vehicle? How many parents, while distracted by cell phones and other devices, will disregard the directions of a crossing guard? According to a 10-year study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 77% of the children killed in school-transportation-related crashes were not on a bus; they were walking, waiting for a bus, biking, or in another vehicle. In Davis County, there will be kids walking to and from school every day except Friday. On every one of those days, crossing guards and police officers from Syracuse Police Department will be out there trying to keep them safe; however, our resources can only go so far – we need help and compliance from the public to accomplish this mission.
Once a crossing guard raises their stop sign and steps off the curb, no vehicles are allowed to pass through the crosswalk in any direction, including making right hand turns, until the crossing guard has cleared and lowered their sign. Children are often distracted as they walk to or from school. They text friends, they take selfies, they play games, and they often listen to music using some variety of earphones. When they are not focused, they are not aware of their surroundings, including vehicles. In addition, kids tend to cross streets at any point they deem convenient, rather than only in marked or monitored crossings. During school commute times, please slow down and do not drive distracted. Properly used seatbelts and car seats save lives! Our school resource officers and crossing guards are looking forward to getting back to the jobs they love and are hoping for a happy, safe, and healthy school year for all children.
Here are few important reminders: Yellow flashing lights on a school bus do not mean speed up, and red flashing lights definitely mean stop. School administrators spend a lot of time and effort designing pick up/drop-off plans to maximize safety of the children. The plans only work if they are followed.
R KEEP OU N CHILDRE SAFE!
Please watch out for children crossing streets, and remember red flashing lights on a bus mean stop!
COMMUNITY QUESTION CORNER BY PAUL ROBERTS, CITY ATTORNEY
QUESTION: Why does Animal Services require rabies vaccinations so often? Answer: Having your cat or dog immunized against rabies is critical to their health. We have received reports of several dead bats in our area this summer. Bats are notorious carriers of rabies. As a dog owner, I have no doubt that my canine would curiously nose at and/or chew on a dead bat, should he come upon one. A pet cat or dog that consumes or comes into contact with bats is at risk of contracting rabies, unless that pet has been vaccinated. Other critters carry rabies as well: racoons, skunk, foxes, and other cats and dogs. Even an inside pet goes out on occasion,
and there is no guarantee that your precious friend will not be bitten. If your pet is exposed to a potentially rabid animal and does not have a current vaccination, then Animal Services will be required to quarantine your animal at the shelter. If they are current on their rabies vaccination, then Animal Services may authorize the quarantine at your home, where your pet will be more comfortable. Check with your veterinarian and ensure that your furry family members are vaccinated.
Do you have a community question? Submit your question to proberts@syracuseut.com.
September 2020 | syracuseconnection.com 5
