Bossier Sheriff’s Deputies Starting School Bus Ride-Along Program

In a proactive effort to ensure the safety of school children in Bossier Parish, Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington and the Bossier Sheriff’s Office have started an initiative involving deputies riding along on school buses to deter drivers from ignoring stop signals on the buses when picking up and dropping off students.

This new measure aims to protect students as they board and disembark from their school buses. During the school year, deputies from the Bossier Sheriff’s Office will occasionally ride on school buses during peak times to monitor and enforce traffic laws related to school bus safety.

The initiative is designed to address the growing concern over drivers failing to stop for school buses with activated stop signs, a situation that poses a significant risk to students. On Wednesday, August 28th, deputies wrote 2 citations to violators for disregarding the stop signs on a stopped bus in Bossier City. “Our top priority is the safety of our children,” said Sheriff Julian Whittington. “By having deputies on the buses, we are taking a direct approach to ensure that drivers understand the seriousness of stopping for school buses and the penalties for non-compliance. This initiative is about creating a safer environment for our students as they get on and off the bus from school.”

Deputies will be positioned on various school buses throughout the year to observe traffic violations and radio waiting deputies with a description of the violator’s vehicle. Drivers who ignore the stop signs will be cited for their offenses, with fines and other penalties to follow.

This strategy not only serves as a deterrent but also aims to increase public awareness about the importance of adhering to school bus safety laws. “We want to send a clear message that the safety of our children is non-negotiable,” added Sheriff Whittington. “We hope this initiative will remind drivers of their responsibilities and encourage them to exercise greater caution around school buses.”