Use caution when driving in school zone

Can anyone say stop? Where does the time go? Summer vacation is coming to an end. We all know what happens next. School is around the corner. And with that in mind, let’s remember the safety of our children.

The first day of school is less then two weeks away. The bell on Aug. 26 will be a great beginning for our kindergartners and a sweet end for our seniors. Or, it could be said a fun beginning for our college freshmen.

The school-zone lights will be flashing, and the speed limit hasn’t changed: It’s 15 mph. Our ever-so-faithful crossing guards will be on duty, helping our “chickens” get to school on time. Please — I mean please — give our crossing guards the respect they deserve. Give them plenty of time to keep the students safe.

If a school bus is unloading or loading children, remember, if there is no median, you must stop. A driver of a vehicle on a divided highway need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus that is positioned in the other roadway. If you’d like, refer to Nevada Revised Statues, Section 484B, “Rule of the Road” for support.

Just one more thing, pay attention! Keep in mind, any citation for a violation involving the school zone is doubled.

Let’s get a move on. “Control, 269 we’ll be 10-8 in service, first call please.”

Aug. 4. Dispatch takes the 911 call of a vehicle collision. Officer arrives to find two vehicles blocking the travel lanes in front of Panda Express. No injuries reported and only a small amount of fluid leaked . Just property damage. Thank goodness no one was hurt.

Aug. 5. A business owner in our industrial area near Foothill Drive calls to report a theft. Officers arrive and are told a large amount of copper wire was stolen from the property the night before. Thieves always take advantage of opportunity. The victim requests extra patrol.

Aug. 6. A good Samaritan in the area of the Georgia Apartments takes in a person in need. The drifter stayed the night. As the sun came up, the drifter began to say some weird stuff. The resident got more then she bargained for. BC’s finest show up and the Minnesota drifter agrees to leave and is provided a courtesy ride to unincorporated Las Vegas.

Aug. 7. A victim in the area of Avenue A calls to report a theft. Officers report an unknown suspect gained entry through the unlocked sliding door, about an hour before police arrived. The loss included some jewelry, a cellphone and a pocket knife. Please lock your doors!

Aug. 8. Two of our residents, who have a bunch of police contact, are “allegedly” at one of the watering holes. They don’t get along. Needless to say we show up. Apparently, one had a protection order against the other . Officers determined the protection was not violated. Wow, that could have been ugly.

Aug. 9. Officers respond to the area of Endora Way regarding a fight. Officers arrive to find two juveniles reporting someone got out of an SUV and pulled a knife. After some investigation, it was determined the juveniles were challenging passing motorists to a fight.

Aug. 10. Officers are called by a distraught female in the area of Date Street. She reports her husband is three sheets to the wind and is abusive. Officers arrive to find the husband in an alleyway near the home. Officers determine that physical abuse occurred. However, the alcohol clouded the husband’s ability to be a gentlemen. Why does it seem that alcohol causes so many problems?

Men and women, you were great. Thanks for keeping me company. Can’t wait to ride with you all next week. Take care and be safe. Lock those doors!

Jeff Grasso is a 10-year veteran of the Boulder City Police Department. He previously served as a police officer in south Florida for four years.