Some, if not all of the precincts of the Wichita Police Department, will be participating in the following state-wide initiative:

In 2012 Kansas lost 43 teens in crashes with 74% of those teens NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED. The Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technology will be hosting a two- week awareness seatbelt enforcement March 11th - 22nd targeting teen drivers and their occupants. In an effort to increase seatbelt compliance, officers throughout the state will patrol around your high school approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of school and 30 minutes immediately following the end of the school day. Those not properly restrained will be issued a citation. For over 20 years, we have tried various means to educate teens about the dangers of driving unbelted. We have learned that nothing impacts teen behavior more than vigorous enforcement. We also know warnings have little or no impact on compliance. 

As you may have noticed, a considerable amount of construction is being done on Grove in front of East High School. It has caused a considerable amount of delays in the morning and in the afternoon. This situation is compounded by parents stopping on Grove to drop off or pick up their students in the morning and in the afternoon.

Grove is a main road where stopping is not permitted, however brief the stop may be. This is making a bad situation worse. Parents, please find an alternate area to drop off and pick up your kids. There will be officers out throughout the year enforcing all traffic laws and writing tickets to those stopping or parking on Grove in front of the school.

With your cooperation, we can work through this.

Thank you!

John Biagini
School Resource Officer
East High School
jbiagini@wichita.gov

Within the past few months, there have been several vehicles either broken into or vandalized in your neighborhood. Most of these incidents occur during the overnight hours, however it is not uncommon for this type of crime to occur during daylight hours. By practicing the following prevention tips, you will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

AUTO VANDALISM TIPS

• Park in a garage, if at all possible
• Park in a driveway if a garage is not available
• Utilize good lighting to illuminate around vehicles
• Talk regularly with your management and neighbors
• Report any suspicious behavior to the police! 

 AUTO BURGLARY TIPS 

• Never leave valuables in your car! (Purses, wallets, money, electronic equipment, cell phones, etc.) 
• Always lock your vehicle
• Park in a well-lit area, visible from a window
• Report any suspicious activity to the police!

Remember, it is not your management's or the Police Department's fault if your vehicle is broken in to. You are responsible for the item(s) that you leave in the vehicle. We need your help to fight these growing number of auto burglaries. Please call 911 if you hear or see something suspicious in your neighborhood.

The Wichita Police Department's mission is to provide professional and ethical public safety services in partnership with citizens to identify, prevent and solve the problems of crime, fear of crime, social disorder and neighborhood decay, thereby improving the quality of life in our community.

IF I WERE A THIEF...
These are a few of the items I would have stolen from your car. Remember that I probably would have smashed out your window to get it and would have been gone in less than a minute.

• Stereo or speakers
• Purse or bag
• Bills or other papers
• CDs or tapes
• Wallet or ID
• Cell phone
• Money
• Tools
• Check book
• Radar detector
• Clothing
• Other electronics
• Other property of value

Any documents left in your vehicle that have your name and/or personal information can be used by criminals to steal your identity. This can result in your credit history being ruined at a great expense to you.

If you have questions or concerns about this issue, please feel free to contact your Community Policing Beat Coordinator. We are working hard with your management to keep you and your property safe, but WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Helpful Phone Numbers
Patrol East: 350-3420
Officer Biagini @ East: 973-7225

Dear East High School Parent,

The Wichita Police Department and East High School would like to bring to your attention our concerns about your children's safety both before and after school while being dropped off or picked up.

We feel that a better understanding of the laws that apply to the School Zones and crosswalks will assist you in making safe and responsible decisions as to where and how to drop off and pick up your children. We appreciate your understanding and assistance in working with us to prevent any future accidents or injuries.

Parking in or around crosswalks or no-parking zones is not only a visual hazard, but it is illegal, too. The violations listed below are some of the causes we have noticed leading to children getting hurt.

Section 11.04.215 - Park or Parking*
"Park" or "parking" means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.

Section 11.52.020(3) - Unlawful Parking in No-Parking Zone*
For any person or operator to park at any time in any zone designated as a no-parking zone.

Section 11.52.020(9) - Unlawful Parking within 20ft of a Crosswalk*
For any person or operator to stop or park a motor vehicle within twenty feet of a crosswalk

Section 11.52.020(15) - Unlawful Double Parking*
For any person or operator to stop or park a motor vehicle on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.

Section 11.52.020(19) - Unlawful Loading/Unloading School Children from Opposite Side of the Street*
For any person or operator of a motor vehicle to stop such vehicle for the purpose of loading or unloading school children at any school where such children are going to or returning from school, except upon the side of the street where the school is located.

*This means stopping for any amount of time, even just momentarily, is considered parking.

This is a joint partnership between the Wichita Police Department, East High School and YOU. The Wichita Police Department greatly appreciates your help in keeping our streets safe. If you have questions regarding these or any traffic ordinances, please visit us at http://www.wichita.gov.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions as to how we can prevent any more accidents and injuries, please call School Resource Officer John Biagini at 350-3430 or at East High School at 973-7225, or by email at jbiagini@wichita.gov.

Thank you!

Seat Belt Safety
Over the summer the state revised the seat belt laws. The following are some points of the new law:

1. The new law is a primary enforcement law (it doesn't require another violation), and it applies only to the front occupants of the vehicle.
2. The law applying to occupants under the age of 18 remains the same (you must wear your seat belt anywhere in the vehicle, and you can be stopped as a primary violation for not wearing your seat belt.)

Officers will be in the neighborhood actively throughout the year enforcing seat belt laws as well as all traffic violations.

East High School Parking
Due to the new construction project, several parking spots have been lost around the school. Officers will be in the neighborhood and around East High School enforcing parking violations throughout the year. Several violations to look for would be:

1. Parking too close to a fire hydrant.
2. Parking within 8 feet of a private driveway.
3. Parking in a private lot or in an area that is posted "No Parking."

Parking off school grounds is at your own risk. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me in the Security Office (C105) or call me at 316-973-7225, or email me at jbiagini@wichita.gov.