Authorities prepare for start of school year

The region's police officers and sheriff's deputies are gearing up for the throngs of young pedestrians expected to hit area sidewalks and crosswalks when school starts again next week.

A multi-agency effort will begin Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. to make sure drivers are complying with school zone requirements and pedestrian crosswalks on the first day of school.

"Area law enforcement agencies are committed to the enforcement of state laws, and driver education practices in order to keep the children in our communities safe as they walk to and from school," stated Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood, in a press release issued Thursday.

Law enforcement officers from the following agencies Coeur d'Alene Police, Post Falls Police, Kootenai County Sheriff's, Idaho State Police, City of Hayden Lake Police, Rathdrum Police, Spirit Lake Police, and the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police will meet Tuesday morning at the Coeur d'Alene Police Department at 3818 Schreiber Way.

Members of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department will also participate.

Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Wayne Longo and other agency leaders will make a few brief statements regarding the importance of driver awareness and responsibility in school zones.

The officers will then deploy to the various schools in all of the surrounding communities and monitor the school zones for compliance.