Sheriff's Office Launches Back to School Campaign

NEWS RELEASE 17-184  - JULY 31, 2017

SCSOBackToSchool2017

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is launching a Back to School social media campaign to help residents prepare for the start of the 2017 school year in Sarasota County.

Beginning August 7, social media followers will be introduced to school resource deputies at various elementary, middle and high schools throughout Sarasota County. Followers will see photos of each deputy, read their biographies, learn interesting facts about them, and gather contact information should students or parents need to get in touch with them throughout the school year.

The sheriff’s office will also issue daily traffic safety tips related to school zones, school bus safety and pedestrian/bicyclist awareness. Sheriff Knight wants to remind motorists that traffic safety is important during this time of year when school zones are active. Children are walking and riding their bikes to school, using crosswalks, and getting on and off buses in neighborhoods or busy roadways. To avoid fines, drivers are encouraged to pay close attention and avoid distractions while on the road. As part of the Back to School campaign, Sheriff Knight will be a guest on 92.1 CTQ’s morning show to discuss the importance of traffic safety.

“It’s important for residents to remember that this might be the first time some students are walking or riding bikes to school,” said Sheriff Tom Knight. “Children could also be new to the neighborhood and unfamiliar with the roads, so drivers can never allow distractions to take their eyes off what’s in front of them. The greater risk is not to your wallet but to the life and safety of a child, so slow down and pay even closer attention when driving before and after school.”

The Back to School social media campaign will also feature a virtual ride-along during Sarasota County’s first day of school on Monday, August 14. Beginning at 6:00 a.m., a member of the agency’s Community Affairs Office will ride with traffic deputies during the agency’s popular initiative known as “Tweet from the Beat.” Topics will include how to travel safely through school zones, laws for passing school buses and important rules to consider while approaching crosswalks. Also during the Tweet from the Beat initiative, citizens will follow a school resource deputy for an inside look at the first day on a middle school campus in Sarasota County. To follow along during Monday’s “Tweet from the Beat”, citizens can create a Twitter account by visiting www.Twitter.com/SignUp and following the sheriff’s office account, @SarasotaSheriff.

To keep up with the Back to School social media campaign, followers are encouraged to use the hashtag #SCSOBackToSchool2017. For more information, contact the Community Affairs Office at 941.861.4005.