IMPD steps up presence in east side school zones

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers will set up traffic enforcement zones on the east side as students return to the classroom. 

IMPD officers will have a greater presence near schools in the area to help prevent any accidents.  The effort comes after City-County Councillor David Ray (D-District19) reached out to IMPD about unsafe driving he witnessed in school zones.

“Too often, drivers fail to slow down in school zones, creating an unsafe environment for everyone,” Ray said in a statement. “I hear from constituents on a regular basis that this is a key public safety issue, and I’m grateful that IMPD’s East District is willing to be a key partner in keeping our streets safe. This is also a good reminder for drivers who may not have kids in school to be mindful when they are commuting.” 

For the next two weeks, IMPD will focus on drivers who disobey traffic laws in school zones, especially on busier thoroughfares.

Indianapolis experienced a spike in pedestrian deaths last year, which included a boy struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver at an east side bus stop. The city set up a fatal crash review board to examine ways to prevent deadly incidents.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.