The Coeur d’Alene Police Department’s Community Accident Reduction through Education (CARE) officers and the School Resource officers will be out in force with a traffic emphasis starting the first day of school on Tuesday, September 2. The emphasis will continue through the week.

Officers will be patrolling school zones and enforcing zero tolerance for moving violations as well as failure to stop at crosswalks. Enhanced school zone fines for speed violations are $156.50.

Firefighters will be visiting Coeur d’Alene elementary schools to emphasize pedestrian and motorist safety. Each fire and EMS apparatus will be assigned a school and will arrive approximately 30 minutes prior to start time.

The goal is to have a visible presence to motorists, along with assisting kids and parents at busy intersections with crosswalks. “Following a long summer break, we would like to remind all motorists to use extreme caution in and around school zones,” said Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel.