Now that school is back in session police and bylaw officers are monitoring school zones for speeding scofflaws - and finding plenty.
Port Moody parents waiting for kids in no stopping zones, parking on crosswalks and many speeding through school zones are getting stopped by PoMo Police officers, who have issued 41 tickets since school has been back in session.
"Most tickets were for failing to stop at stop signs and disobeying traffic control devices," said Const. Luke van Winkel, noting speeding is a significant issue at schools that are close to main roadways, particularly Moody and Glenayre elementary schools. "Police will continue to be out in force at various schools throughout the coming months."
PoMo bylaw officers are also checking in at schools throughout the city and have given out a handful of warning tickets, said city spokesperson Dave Teixeira.
"Whenever there are uniforms in place, people's behaviour changes... so there's compliance," he said.
The top six schools where parents are asking for more patrols, Teixeira added, are Aspenwood, Mountain Meadows, Glenayre, Heritage Mountain, Moody and Pleasantside elementary schools.
Even principals are getting in on the act, donning bright vests and traffic signs to keep vehicles moving in front of schools.
"If parents were to drop off and pick up a 30-second drive away from schools it would clear up the congestion, allow parents to enter and exit faster and the kids would get a little more exercise," Teixeira said.
In Coquitlam, bylaw officers issued warning tickets in the first week that students were back in school but have since stepped it up to regular tickets.
"We have officers who do proactive patrols of schools... and we respond to complaints that come from parents, administrators, PACs, principals," said Andrea McDonald, manager of bylaws, licensing and animal services.
"The emphasis is always on student safety and providing that education; however, as you can imagine at some schools there are so many violations happening at once it's hard to do education."
McDonald said the main issues are people parking in no stopping zones and no parking zones, both of which pose safety concerns for students.
One Coquitlam school is involving students in spreading the safety message. On Oct. 15 Hillcrest middle students, working with ICBC, the city of Coquitlam and RCMP, will be issuing "traffic tickets" to remind drivers to slow down - as well as congratulating drivers who are obeying traffic signs, seat belt laws and traffic lights.
Drivers can watch for them on Como Lake and Linton avenues between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. and aim for one of the "nice tickets," not one of the costly ones that RCMP officers will be handing out.
Port Coquitlam is also sending out bylaw officers to schools that have requested parking enforcement with the goal of "ensuring compliance and public safety," said city spokesperson Pardeep Purewal in an email.
At Hope Lutheran and Christian School, officers issued 20 warnings and two tickets, while at Birchland elementary, where problems have arisen with parking at the daycare drop-off zone at the back of the school, officers are liaising with daycare staff and residents as well as installing additional "no stopping" signs.
And Blakeburn elementary parents may want to take note, because bylaw officers have flagged the school for enforcement next week.
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung said officers are monitoring school zones but he couldn't provide any numbers on tickets issued. He encouraged the public to call the RCMP at 604-945-1550 with any traffic complaints.
PoMo's van Winkel also reminded drivers that with the days getting shorter drivers need to pay extra attention.
"As the weather turns please give extra time and be cautious of pedestrians at all intersections," he said.
