It is about back-to-school time around the nation and students aren’t the only ones gearing up.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Joseph Police Department have spent the past few days preparing for the increase in traffic and pedestrians.

The Highway Patrol said that in 2007 the most accidents involving drivers under the age of 21 occurred between the hours of 3 and 4 p.m., when schools are typically letting students out for the day. More than 450 children were injured in crashes involving pedestrians.

Police Capt. Kevin Castle says the department plans to use school resource officers as well as all other available officers to safeguard streets near schools.

“If you drive through a school zone this week and compare it to what you’ll see next week, the amount of traffic and congestion is just double,” Mr. Castle said. “So one thing we focus on is not only traffic but the parking around the schools, which causes congestion.”

The St. Joseph School District begins classes Aug. 25.

Mr. Castle said the department will strictly enforce speeding and parking issues once schools get started. He also urges motorists near school zones to use caution and allow for extra traffic.

“We’re getting with the bus companies and addressing dangerous driving while the buses are loading and unloading, which is a problem every year,” Mr. Castle said.

The Police Department’s school resource officers spent much of this week meeting with school administrators and staff to go over new policies and procedures.

“We have four (school resource) officers that act as the liaison between the Police Department and the school districts,” said School Resource Officer Greg Ogdahl.

Mr. Ogdahl said during a normal school day each officer will have two to three school buildings to keep an eye on and do more than just patrol the hallways.

School resource officers do educational programs with the students as well as handle disciplinary issues throughout their buildings and act as an extra set of eyes.

The four officers recently returned from four days of classes on legal updates, drug updates and problem students.

The department urges parents to take the time discuss safety issues regarding walking or biking to and from school as well.

“You’ve had three months where people are used to not seeing kids in school zones and all the sudden there they are,” Mr. Castle said.

Megan Tilk can be reached at megantilk@npgco.com.