The truth about parking around schools

Many people see school parking rules as an inconvenience. But let's reframe that mindset: Have you ever stopped to think about the impact your driving decisions have, not just on your own child, but on every child in your community? The truth about parking around schools is that the parents and other drivers are the only people who can ensure a safe environment around elementary schools.

The reality is you and other drivers need to remember that your choices matter. When you park responsibly and respect traffic laws, you create a safer environment for all children. Many drivers believe that following parking rules will slow down the school pick-up and drop-off process. In reality, the opposite is true. Traffic moves best when everyone follows the same rules. When drivers cut corners—parking illegally, making unsafe U-turns, or stopping where they shouldn't—they cause more delays, frustration and risk to children.

When you make responsible choices, you help:

• Reduce chaos: Illegal parking creates bottlenecks around schools, making pick-up and drop-off longer and more stressful.
• Protect pedestrians: Children are unpredictable. Proper parking prevents visibility hazards and ensures kids can cross safely.
• Set a positive example: Children watch how adults behave. When you follow the rules, you teach them to value safety and responsibility.

Education is always our preferred approach, especially around schools. When drivers are respectful and professional in our interactions and take the directions officers give them, we will stick with education as much as possible. This ensures that parents and caregivers understand the rules and the reasons behind them. If they disregard that education—either through their attitude or an unwillingness to adapt to it—then enforcement is always on the table and there are no exceptions.

We utilize our Patrol Units and License Plate Recognition (LPR) Camera Cars to patrol the areas around schools and enforce the relevant restrictions and traffic controls. In advance of ticketing, our Patrol Officers provide education and the opportunity for drivers to comply voluntarily. We are limited in how often officers can be available to do these in-person interactions, which is why we implement the camera cars to make sure that everybody stays compliant, even when they don't see an officer out giving tickets.

In 2025, we would like to partner more with the schools in the city to find more personal ways to deliver our educational materials. Once again, we recognize that we can't always be everywhere, so we are always looking for ways to keep our message about individual responsibility for safety resonating throughout the year. The challenge right now is realizing that teachers, administrators and parent groups are often already working well beyond what could be considered a reasonable capacity. Regardless, we are still looking for schools that are willing to collaborate with us in piloting our potential future educational projects throughout the school year.

Following the rules isn't about avoiding a ticket—it's about making sure every child gets home safely. At the heart of all these efforts is a simple but powerful message: Safe parking starts with you.

You have a choice every time you drive around schools. Will you be the driver who contributes to the problem or the one who sets the example?

• Respect the signs: They are there to save lives, not inconvenience you. Follow the rules, every time. No exceptions and no excuses.
• Think beyond your own child: Every decision you make impacts the entire community.
• Support safety efforts: When officers educate or enforce, remember—they're working to protect kids, not disrupt your routine.

Safety around schools isn't just about compliance—it's about accountability, responsibility and community care. If every driver follows the rules, the system works smoothly for everyone. When one person chooses to ignore them, it creates dangerous disruptions for all. By making smart driving choices today, you help build a culture of safety that benefits everyone. At the end of the day, every child deserves to come home safely. That responsibility starts with you.