On Wednesday October 21st, Downingtown Police Officers, alongside members of the Downingtown Area School District and Krapf Transportation Company, participated in the 30th Annual Operation Safe Stop. For the past 30 years local law enforcement agencies, PennDOT, local school districts, school transportation providers, and pupil transportation associations have collaborated to conduct Operation Safe Stop across the Commonwealth. Operation Safe Stop is a proactive approach to educate the motoring public that passing a stopped school bus, when children are loading or unloading, is both dangerous and illegal. These agencies have combined their efforts to raise public awareness about the potential consequences of these traffic violations and reduce the occurrence of illegal school bus passes. 

DPD Officer Coyle followed behind some of the district buses while children were boarding, to ensure they remained safe and to monitor any traffic violations that may occur. Chief Brazunas was spotted at a bus stop with some local students before their bus arrived and then was found near East Ward Elementary assisting students to safely cross the intersection on their way to school.  

DPD would like to thank our partners at DASD and Krapf Transportation for another successful Operation Safe Stop and your continued support to keeping the children in our communities safe each day. 

Picture 1: Officer Coyle in DPD Traffic Unit following a school bus to ensure the safety of boarding students

Picture 2: Officer Coyle, East Ward Elementary Principal Dr. Argonish, and Krapf bus driver Mark Polanski

Picture 3: Officer Coyle, Chief Brazunas, Principal Dr. Argonish