Police and crossing guards out in full force for first day of school in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Police and crossing guards were on high alert Wednesday as students made their way to class for the first day back to school.

“A lot of people, if they don’t have little kids may not know today is the first day back to school. They could be texting, driving without a seatbelt or too fast in a school zone. So we’re doing very heavy enforcement today,” says Santa Cruz Police Chief, Andy Mills.

Next to officers, crossing guards are another line of defense for students and other pedestrians.

Jerry Cacace, a crossing guard with the city of Santa Cruz has been helping kids and parents at the intersection of Bay and Seaside Streets for 8 years now.

“I’ve made the parents and kids, my family. That’s why I’m here,” says Cacace

He adds one thing he hasn’t seen change over the years is speeding drivers, “they just go over the speed limit. even though I post it, and it’s posted they go through, and some of them don’t care.”

He thinks one of the reasons for those speeding, they’re running late. And says it only gets worse when UCSC gets back in session too, “If they would only give themselves another 10 minutes early to start, they wouldn’t be in this situation.”

That’s one of the reasons Santa Cruz Police are increasing their patrols in school zones, “”I went to the line up this morning and told the guys, write as many tickets as you can. To send the message that we have to slow down in school zones,” says Chief Mills.

But, that’s not the only reason they’re out here, “we’re here to support the educational system and process because we know that’s one of the best public safety measures one can take is to have a great educational system. Were so proud of what the city schools have done here so we really just want to make a presence out here to make sure that kids know that we support them and the schools,” says Chief Mills.

Santa Cruz Police will have increased patrols in school zones for at least a few more weeks. They will be looking for speeding or distracted drivers and anyone else breaking the law.