Safety Patrol Program and Fairchild defenders help start the school year safely Published Aug. 26, 2013 By Senior Airman Mary O'Dell 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE-Wash. -- As school begins at Michael Anderson Elementary, ensuring student's safety while walking to and from school or while being dropped off and picked up in school zones, is key for a successful year. The school hopes to achieve this goal by participating in the Safety Patrol program made up of dedicated 4th and 5th graders who volunteer to come before and after school to open and close the gates, help other children find their way around, monitor students coming off the busses and assist crossing guards. "We have so many kids interested in being part of the Safety Patrol Program, I usually end up having to put them on a waiting list," said Denise Caldwell, School Safety Patrol advisor. "These kids deserve so much credit for what they do and we could not do without our safety patrollers." Caldwell said the safety patrollers know they are the "eyes and ears" for the adults, since the crosswalk can be a very busy place. While the signs flashing "school zone speed limit" aren't easy to miss, they are easy to ignore, potentially putting others in danger. "It's important to follow these limits because at any given time children could be coming or going in that particular area," said Staff Sgt. Denine Deal, Security Forces Squadron police service NCO. "Increased traffic during pick-up and drop-off times also adds to the element of danger." This 20 mph limit is mandated any time children are present, including after-hours school fairs and other events. There is a zero tolerance policy for anyone who breaks these rules. "No matter how many times we tell our children to look both ways before they cross the street or wait for the crossing guard they can still get excited and not pay as close attention as they should," said Deal. "No one wants to be responsible for a fatality or injury that could have been avoided; these limits are put into place to assure that no one will ever have to be." MAE is easily accessible from base housing, making walking to school a preference for many children, with or without their parents. According the Washington State Department of Transportation, crosswalks may help show pedestrians the route with least exposure to traffic and potential accidents; however, they should not be seen as safety devices on their own. Following sidewalks and trails put into place throughout base helps ensure that individuals stay safely out of streets and harm's way. "It is ultimately up to the drivers to make sure they are following the rules of the road to ensure there are no accidents," Deal said. "People need to be mindful of all avenues of approach and traffic signs in that area." James Eastman, a civilian police officer from the 92nd SFS, spends part of his mornings patrolling the school zone to help the school's safety staff police the area. "My intentions are to make sure parents are paying attention while running late or in a hurry," said Eastman. "When drivers see a patrol car or a security forces member on duty, they tend to slow down a little more which greatly reduces the chance a child will be hit by a vehicle." Eastman said texting while operating a vehicle is a large concern and something he looks for around the school. "If a driver is reading a text, they are not looking at the road and in a parking lot full of kids, the consequences could be tragic," said Eastman. U-turns are also prohibited in school zones, according to Fairchild Air Force Base Instruction 31-204, due to increased hazard in that area for pedestrians and other motorists. Ultimately, there is a large support of men and women in uniform, student safety patrollers and teachers in support of keeping the school zone safe. "Accidents can be avoided if individuals take all precautions possible and follow the rules," said Eastman. "Keeping everyone safe is what we try to do best." A map of Fairchild with crosswalks marked with an "x" can be found at http://www.mlsd.org/cms/lib04/WA01000507/Centricity/Domain/19/Fairchild%20Map.pdf.