Sheriff's Office Launches Back to School Campaign

NEWS RELEASE 18-138 - AUGUST 10, 2018
Back to School 2018

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is launching a Back to School social media campaign to help residents prepare for the start of the 2018 school year in Sarasota County.

Beginning August 13, social media followers will be introduced to school resource and the deputies assigned to elementary, middle and high schools throughout Sarasota County. This gives parents and students an opportunity to virtually meet each deputy, read their biography and gather contact information, should parents or students 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 is reminding motorists that traffic safety is crucial 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 and busy roadways. To avoid fines, drivers are encouraged to pay close attention and avoid distractions while on the road.

“It’s important for residents to remember 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 13. Beginning at 7:00 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. 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 #SCSOBackToSchool2018. For more information, contact the Community Affairs Office at 941.861.4005.