PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

August 19, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Announces Operation Safe Passage

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department joined Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City School District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Grant, and Mountain View Elementary School Principal Jason Finch to announce the city’s Operation Safe Passage.

“Our young students deserve to feel safe every step of the way to and from their schools and, in turn, their parents deserve the same peace of mind,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “It’s crucial we all work together to ensure these transitions are safe and smooth for our students.”

“We as police officers have a critical responsibility to help ensure the safe passage of children as they head back to school,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. “In school zones, there are no second chances. As a community, we cannot forget that school zones are places of hope and opportunity.”

The two schools identified for this year’s operation are Mountain View Elementary School and Nibley Park School.

The initiative will include highly visible, marked patrol officers who will saturate the identified areas to help serve as a deterrence to any type of crime.

The increased patrols will continue for one week and will include traffic education and enforcement, bike and walking patrol, and highly visible police presence throughout the neighborhoods near the schools.

Officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Liberty Bike, Central and Pioneer Bike Squads, Motors Squad, and School Resource Officers will be participating in this event. SLCPD District Community Liaison Officers will be walking to school with the students, parents and staff.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is providing safety tips for everyone to ensure our roadways are safe for children:

●       Drivers must practice safe driving habits and be aware of the lowered 20 mile per hour speed limit.

●       Drivers must follow state law school bus safety zones, including stopping when a school bus’ stop arm is extended

●       Students should always look both ways before crossing streets

●       Students walking to school should avoid wearing headphone or earbuds so they can be aware of their surrounding

●       If a student sees something unusual or suspicious, they should alert a parent, school administrator, or a police officer right away.

Operation Safe Passage may be extended to other schools throughout the year as staffing, funding and resources allow.

Three photos taken from today’s press conference are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall gives remarks about the importance of school safety at a press conference on Monday, August 19, 2024 (SLCPD photo – August 19, 2024).

Photo: Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown gives remarks about school safety during a press conference at Mountain View Elementary on Monday, August 19, 2024 (SLCPD photo – August 19, 2024).

Photo: Mountain View Elementary School Principal Jason Finch speaks at a press conference on Monday, August 19, 2024 (SLCPD photo – August 19, 2024).

###