Richmond’s Safe Corridors Initiative made the grade last year. This year, Richmond Police and Richmond Public Schools are working to repeat the same success to start this school year off right.
Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Schools Superintendent Yvonne Brandon and Chief Bryan T. Norwood will discuss this year’s Safe Corridors Initiative at a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at George Wythe High School, 4314 Crutchfield St.
High school students were the focus for Safe Corridors’ freshman year. The sophomore effort will extend to the city’s middle school students.
“As evidenced by the Safe Corridors Initiative, public safety is a cooperative effort among our city agencies that starts with our youngest citizens – the students of Richmond Public Schools,” Mayor Jones said. “We want to create an environment where they can stay focused on their education.”
Chief Norwood said, “We want parents of Richmond Public Schools’ students to know we have their child’s safety in mind each and every day. From the time they leave home in the morning until they return home in the afternoon, they’re in our care – Richmond Public Schools and Richmond Police.”
Dr. Brandon agrees. “Public education and public safety work hand in hand,” she said. “From the early days of the former D.A.R.E. program to current times with School Resource Officers, there has always been a collaborative effort to create a safe environment for our students. We will work to continue and enhance this partnership.”
Richmond Police reminds high school students who drive to and from school abide by all traffic laws, but especially to refrain from texting while driving. The Department’s Traffic Unit and sector officers from each precinct will increase traffic and radar enforcement in and around school zones the first week of school. And the Department’s school crossing guards will be looking out for pedestrian students.
“From home to homeroom, student safety is our priority,” Chief Norwood said.
