SANDPOINT — From stadium lights illuminating Friday night games to students catching up after a summer apart, the start of the school year celebrates new beginnings throughout the community.  

While the season brings excitement, safety remains essential. Sandpoint Police Department staff offered advice on how residents can help keep area youth safe as the start of school nears. 

SPD has maintained a relationship with the Lake Pend Oreille School District to support school safety for more than 20 years, Sandpoint Police officials said 

Roads will be congested, and children will be crossing roads frequently during school mornings during the first few weeks of school. For that reason, it is important for motorists to remember to slow down in school zones, said Don Little, SPD school resource officer. 

Speed limits in city school zones are 15 mph, reduced from a 20-mph speed limit in 2021. The change was implemented to prioritize children's safety, said then-City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton. 

"We have kids that do dart off the sidewalk, or they're goofing off on the sidewalk," said Little. "Paying attention to that 15-mph speed [limit] and the school zone is extremely important." 

"There are plenty of studies that show there's not a substantial difference with a 5-mph dropping speed, which is why we went from a normal 25 to 15," said SPD Lieutenant Steven Chamberlain. 

Chamberlain also encouraged motorists to be patient with each other as drivers adjust to new systems. 

"Everybody's learning, everybody's trying to adapt to the school," said Chamberlain. "Just be patient and understand that people do take a little bit more time." 

Following directions from crossing guards in school zones is not optional for motorists, said Chamberlain. 

"Occasionally, we do get reports of people not stopping for the crossing guards," said Chamberlain. "Please obey them. If not, you are likely going to get a citation." 

For students who walk to and from school, Little said it is important for parents and children to know multiple routes home. 

"We do have a lot of kids that walk," said Little, adding that knowing multiple routes is useful if areas in the city become blocked off. 

SPD Police Chief Corey Coon said parents with children who ride bikes to school should ensure that they fit the rules and regulations for the state of Idaho. 

"E-bikes are becoming a hot topic across our nation," said Coon, adding that kids need to understand and follow the rules of the road on their bikes. 

In the case of a school lockdown, Little said parents are advised to stay away from the school. 

The school will communicate with parents through email or text message with timely updates, including where safe pickup locations will be, said Little. 

As a parent himself, Little acknowledged the difficulty of restraining from driving to the school, although he said that keeping that area free for first responders, medics and police is "truly the best thing to do."

Chamberlain said that more police officers will be present in and around schools for the first week of school. 

"It's not to panic anybody, it's just because it's important for us to make sure we're present for those time frames to help encourage people to be obedient, to be patient, to slow down and do those things," said Coon. 

In addition to promoting safe driving habits, officers will also be enforcing traffic rules. 

"We want everybody to know that we're here, they're safe. It's a good environment for everybody," said Chamberlain.