POLICE ISSUE SAFETY TIPS AS NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS
With the opening of schools throughout the country today, the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force has issued some safety tips for parents, students and motorist.
Here are some simple reminders for drivers:
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Slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones.
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Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
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Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.
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Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours.
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Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the roadway.
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Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving.
Reminder for parents and children:
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They should cross the street with an adult.
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Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars.
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Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them.
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Rehearse with children their full name, address, and phone number.
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Walk the neighborhood with your children. Show them safe places they can go to in an emergency such as a trusted neighbor’s house or an open store.
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Tell children never to accept gifts or rides from someone they don’t know well.
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Report any suspicious activities to a trusted adult and call the police.
Police are also warning drivers not to speed in a school zone, make illegal passing of school buses, failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, as well as double parking in crosswalks – which parents who are dropping off or picking up students are reminded to avoid.
Police are appealing to anyone with information about these vehicular crimes, no matter how small or insignificant (the tip) may seem, to call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-8477 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www.crimestoppers.tc. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. All calls are answered by Miami Dade Police and no one from the RTCIPF will know who called. Only the information received will be provided to the RTCIPF.
We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
WEEKLY PREVENTION CRIME TIP
AS CITIZENS WE MUST PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. TRAFFIC CRASHES ARE ONE OF THE DEADLIEST HAZARDS OUR CHILDREN FACE. LET’S DO OUR PART WHEN WE PASS THESE SCHOOLS BY SLOWING DOWN, WATCHING, AND EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED.
Please visit the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force website at www.tcipolice.tc or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rtcipffor Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips.