The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is launching a Back to School campaign focused on traffic safety and social media, to help students and parents prepare for the 2019 school year in Sarasota County.

 

Beginning August 12, the sheriff’s office will utilize Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to hone in on several crucial topics for students and parents returning from summer break. Daily traffic reminders and updates will be issued covering an array of topics including school zones, school bus safety and pedestrian/bicyclist awareness. The sheriff’s office will also highlight 15 mobile applications frequently downloaded by children that can be utilized by predators for purposes of exploitation. The campaign will include short, daily videos that navigate the 15 apps recently announced by Sheriff Knight during a news conference in July.

 

The Back to School campaign will also feature a virtual ride-along during Sarasota County’s first day of school. On Monday, August 12, beginning at 6:30 a.m., members 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.

 

“It is so important residents get back into the swing of things now that summer is coming to an end,” commented Sheriff Tom Knight. “From new traffic laws to new social media apps, back to school is the perfect opportunity for everyone to hit the reset button. Parents should use this time to re-engage with their children and never allow busy, changing schedules to interfere with our most important job which is to be guardians.”  

 

To keep up with the Back to School campaign, followers are encouraged to use the hashtag #SCSOBack2School2019. For more information, contact the Community Affairs Office at 941.861.4005.