New SRO, stricter traffic regulations

Kayleigh Lambert, Staff Reporter|September 23, 2019

Bus+safety+is+a+primary+concern+for+the+new+traffic+regulations+around+the+district.+Photo+by+Kayleigh+Lambert.+

Kayleigh Lambert

Bus safety is a primary concern for the new traffic regulations around the district. Photo by Kayleigh Lambert.

Schools hires new SRO

There have been many new faces this school year, one of which is the new SRO, Officer Adam Rogers.

The 2019-2020 school year is Officer Kristen Lewis’ fourth year at Carroll, having previously been the sole SRO for both the high school and the two middle schools. 

Although having no part in the hire Officer Lewis said, “It’s great and a good relief having someone to help out.”

Lewis said the biggest problems they currently face are stop-arm violations and speeding within the school zone. This school year, Lewis and Rogers have been working hard to enforce and crackdown on these issues. 

Officer Rogers and Lewis both agree that their favorite part of the job is working with the kids.

“It’s awesome to get involved with the kids,” Officer Rogers said when asked about how he is getting settled in our school district.

Before coming to Carroll, Officer Rogers mostly worked third-shift traffic, having never worked in a school. He now regulates parent pick up and drop-offs and spends most of his time monitoring the freshman center.

Freshman Payton May said that he feels safer having Officer Rogers in the freshman center so that they “don’t have to walk all around if there is an emergency because there is one on each side.”

 

Story by Gabriella Hall

Stricter Traffic Regulations

Most students have been delayed by an accident after school. Some of the causes are exceeding the speed limit, not paying attention, and inexperienced driving.

“Nobody can drive. The students can’t drive, the parents can’t drive, even the bus drivers can’t drive,” said school resource officer Kristen Lewis.

Lewis has been an officer for 11 years, four of them at the high school.

“I have seen at least 300 accidents, majority of them being teen drivers and young adults,” said Lewis.

The school has enforced new rules in the student parking lot. Some of those rules include driving the speed limit, which has been neglected in the past, and having at least one officer outside to direct traffic.

Officer Lewis and the new SRO Adam Rogers are outside monitoring the speed of people driving by, including student drivers, making sure the rule is followed. They also direct traffic in the morning and after school, making sure the traffic flows as smoothly as possible and making sure accidents are minimized.

Both Officers Lewis and Officer Rogers hope the added enforcement encourages students to drive safer in the school zone and surrounding community.

 

Story by Kayleigh Lambert