Crookston Police Officer Don Rasicot will be heading into the Crookston Schools as the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the fifth straight year. Rasicot says he spends roughly 70% of his time at the High School but oversees six different Crookston Schools as SRO.
With school starting up this week, Rasicot wants to remind people of safety tips for kids, parents, and drivers. Specifically with bus safety. “Every time school starts to start up again, we have safety issues we need to be mindful of that we didn’t have in the summertime,” said Rasicot. “Each bus has a stop arm, and it’s a gross misdemeanor to go through a bus stop arm. Many children have been killed throughout the years because, as a driver, you aren’t able to see when an unsuspecting child will dart in front of you.”
Rasicot also mentioned how the stop arms might be annoying to drivers, but they save lives every year. Important reminders are to be aware of when buses start to slow down, and their lights start flashing, giving a clear indication of when a child will be entering or exiting the bus.
Rasicot also talked about how drivers on the road can give bus drivers a break this upcoming school year. “If you and a bus are coming to an uncontrolled intersection, let’s give the bus drivers a break,” said Rasicot. “They have a schedule to keep and have lots of little lives onboard they are responsible for. Give them a little extra time and try to respect the fact that they have a job to do.”
Rasicot says the City of Crookston has done a fantastic job in years past at following these guidelines, and he believes the Crookston area has some of the nicest people in the state.
Rasicot also gave a few more safety tips and things drivers can be aware of as school starts. “Early morning times and afternoon times when school gets out are going to be the busiest with bus traffic,” said Rasicot. “But these bus drivers are also bringing kids elsewhere and other activities, and you could have a bus at any time.”
Another key part of back-to-school safety is pedestrian safety, both for children and adults. School is only 7-8 hours a day, but traffic rules/regulations are 24-7. Rasicot says there are opportunities for people to lead by example and set the standard that should be followed. “Anytime you’re in a school zone, please abide by the 25-mph speed limit when school is in session,” said Rasicot. “Be very awre of pedestrians and giving them a break as well. If you see a pedestrian trying to cross the street, be the leader and first person to stop and allow them to do that. I’ve seen kids stand in crosswalks for minutes at a time, and we all have an opportunity to be a leader and be the first person to stop.”
Another safety item to keep in mind this upcoming school year is to report any suspicious activity. Rasicot says if you see a vehicle that looks out of place or have any concerns about your child’s safety and well-being when school gets out, to call the Crookston Police Department and make them aware of the situation.
The first day of classes for all Crookston Public Schools is this Tuesday.
