Police issue safety warning, high school parking notice

Police Chief Erving Marshall Jr. warns drivers to be aware of school related traffic laws and is requesting parents review safety tips with their children before school starts on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

Motorists are asked to be alert for the increase in pedestrian traffic and the movement of school buses as well.

Marshall reminds motorists that the speed limits of 20 mph in school zones will be strictly enforced as will laws regarding the failure to yield for school buses with light flashing.

The police department is providing literature on "stranger danger," bike and pedestrian safety for students at elementary school, at the police department. Police say this is a good time of year to review the safety instructions with children so that they understand the dangers that they could be presented with and to ensure that their trips to, from and around schools are as safe as possible.

Police warn parents to review the safety concerns because will the excitement of the new school years children sometimes forget to think about safety.

Police are also recommending that parents of high school aged children review the dangers along Route 119, especially in the area of this high school, which because of the congestion and increase in traffic flow has became a particular safety concern.

High schoolers are also being warned that there is no parking allowed at the Harbor Village Mall.

Police have received an increased number of complaints from business owners and the mall's managers so they will be strictly enforcing the parking ban. Students who park illegally will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

There will be no exceptions and permission from a particular establishment at the mall will no be allowed, warn police.

The police will be working with administrators at North Middlesex Regional High School and the Harbor Village Mall Management Company to alleviate this problem, police say.

There will also be no parking along Proctor Road this year where signs were placed last year. Vehicles parked in the restricted areas will be ticketed and/or towed.

- Submitted to The Journal