With kids back in class, local authorities continue to emphasize safety around school buses and in school zones. 

School Resource Officer and Piatt County Sheriff's Deputy Lindsay Bross is beginning another school year of bouncing around the County's school buildings to build relationships and ensure student and staff safety. Sheriff Mark Vogelzang says the SRO program has been very successful for almost eight years, largely thanks to Dep. Bross. 

One of Deputy Bross' biggest concerns this time of year is traffic enforcement and distracted drivers in and around school zones. She points out that it is especially a problem when it comes to the stop signs and other signals displayed on school buses while children are getting on and off the bus. 

While writing tickets is never fun, Dep. Bross does write tickets for school zone and bus violations because of how dangerous those situations can be for unaware or unsafe drivers. 

Dep. Bross and Sheriff Vogelzang encourage motorists to be mindful of those school zones, the laws around them, and children in neighborhoods who are walking or biking to school. 

We'll have more with Dep. Bross about e-bikes in Piatt County as well as some tips for first-time drivers.