Edgewater Police: Back to School Safety Tips

Edgewater Police School Resource Officer Ericka Rendon with students from Edgewater Elementary School

It’s back to school time! This Thursday, August 15, students will be heading back to school at our three schools in Edgewater.

Here are some safety tips from Edgewater Police Chief Eric Sonstegard:

As the dog days of summer slowly recede underneath the beauty of fall leaves, we welcome back our students, teachers, and parents to another school year. While Edgewater is small, we are unique in that we have four (4) school campuses in a city less than 0.8 square miles in size. Our schools are unique in their size, architecture, and rich history.

Edgewater Elementary School was built in 1949 at 24^th Avenue and Depew Street. Lumberg Elementary School was constructed in 1955 at the corner of 22^nd Avenue and Pierce Street. Jefferson High School was opened in 1959 at 24^th Avenue and Pierce Street. Starting in the fall of 2015, area students started attending seventh and eighth grade at the expanded Jefferson Junio/Senior High School.

The Edgewater Police Department continues its strong partnership with the JeffCo Public Schools by providing a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Edgewater campuses. The SRO not only provides an immediate response to threats to safety on school campuses, but also serves as a proactive deterrent to activities that might threaten safety on those campuses. The SRO is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective communication as a liaison among the Police Department, students, staff, and parents to build trust and credibility through increasing positive interactions with the Department.

In Edgewater, we are fortunate to have an incredible SRO in Officer Ericka Rendon. Officer Rendon has established meaningful connections with faculty, students, and parents and can often be found mentoring young students or acting as a mediator in student conflicts. We challenge you to find a student at one of our campuses that doesn’t know “Officer Ericka” 😊.

As schools open their doors back to students, the safety of children on their way to and from school is paramount, and it requires the combined efforts of parents, school staff, local authorities, and the students themselves. Officer Rendon wanted our community to be aware of these practical safety tips to help make school zones safer for everyone:

Safety Tips for Parents and Drivers

• • Follow Speed Limits: Always adhere to the posted speed limits in school zones. Reduced speed limits are designed to give drivers more time to react to sudden changes or unexpected movements by children.
  • No Double Parking: Double parking creates blind spots and reduces the visibility of crossing pedestrians. Always park in designated areas.
  • Be Extra Cautious: Be vigilant for children who may suddenly dart into the road. Keep an eye out for school buses, cyclists, and crossing guards.
  • Use Designated Drop-off Zones: Utilize the school’s designated drop-off and pick-up zones. Avoid dropping children off in the middle of the street.
  • Avoid Distractions: Refrain from using mobile phones or other distractions while driving in school zones. Your full attention is crucial.

Safety Tips for Students

• • Use Crosswalks: Always cross streets at designated crosswalks and intersections. Look both ways before crossing and continue to be alert while crossing.
  • Stay on Sidewalks: Use sidewalks whenever available. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic and stay as far to the left as possible.
  • Avoid Running: Do not run across streets or through parking lots. Walk carefully and be aware of your surroundings.
  • Be Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during early morning or late afternoon. This increases visibility to drivers.
  • Follow the Rules: Obey traffic signals and school crossing guards. Never cross the street without looking for cars and ensuring it is safe.

School traffic safety is a shared responsibility. By following these safety tips and remaining vigilant, we can all enjoy a safe return to schools this fall.

Joel Newton

Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.