Police Encourage Reports Of Those Violating School Zone, Bus Laws

ALGONQUIN, IL — With a new school year comes reminders from police, state and local officials about Illinois school bus and school zone laws. Students are back in classrooms across McHenry County, and this means bus stops are filled with kids during morning pick ups and afternoon drop offs. While Patch provides readers with refreshers on these laws, we wonder what parents and neighbors at or near bus stops are witnessing during the school year.

Your safety reminder: The laws and penalties for speeding in a school zone and passing a stopped school bus.

After all, kids run the greatest risk of being hurt when they're standing at the bus stop, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Patch recently asked Algonquin-Lake in the Hills and Crystal Lake-Cary Patch readers, "Do you see drivers stopping for stopped school buses (who's stop arm is extended/lights on), and driving under the school zone speed limit? If not, is there a specific area or school zone where you believe an increase in police presence is necessary?"

A response to this question, written by neighbor Dee Roberts, was shared with members of the Algonquin Police Department.

"I would like to see some police presence by the bus stop on Sawmill and Stonegate," Roberts said, in the response. "This bus stop is on a curve where small children stand and people fly down this road. Thankfully the bus driver would put the flashing lights on early enough so people would notice and stop."

Robert's response was very helpful because it named a specific location, according to Algonquin Police Department Deputy Police Chief Andrew Doles. Doles told Patch specific times, vehicle descriptions, locations and other specific details help police respond to these complaints better and faster.

"What is very helpful for us is if they (residents) can be very specific, or as specific as they can be," Doles said. "Sometimes it's hard for us to respond to a complaint when somebody says, 'well there are speeding autos on my street all hours of the day and time.'"

Doles told Patch he reached out to Community Unit School District 300's Transportation Services Department regarding the Stonegate and Sawmill complaint, and he was told district school busses use that route from 7 a.m. to 8:39 a.m.

Because of Robert's specific location details, Doles was able to make that call and confirm the students and school buses at Stonegate and Sawmill. This, Doles said, leads them to putting an officer at that location.

"Call police, you can be anonymous," Doles told those who want to report motorists speeding in school zones and/or passing stopped school buses. "We'll immediately put an officer out there."

Several areas have a number of patrols, thanks to neighbor reports and directed patrol programs. These are also computer programs police check that allow them to zero in on an area and the patrols that are or aren't there.

"We also check in with crossing guards, as there are three in the Village, in an effort to provide extra police presence in the Village," Doles said.

While Doles said they saw an increase in traffic this time of year, overall motorists are being aware and safe. He also encourages community members to call and report any sign of someone passing a stopped school bus or speeding in a school zone.

"They should also look for cell phone usage, speeding motorcyclists and drivers," Doles added.

For those who aren't paying attention while driving near buses, bus stops or school zones, and are caught breaking the law, they'll pay for it — literally, Doles said.

Doles told Patch that first-time offenders caught passing a stopped school bus can look forward to having their driver's license suspended for three months and can face a $150 fine, and those convicted a second time within five years could have their license suspended for a year and face a $500 fine.

When it comes to being caught speeding in a school zone, Doles said a first offense is punishable by a minimum fine of $150 and $300 for repeated offenders. Motorists also must pay $50 to the school district where the speeding violation happened, and ticketed drivers must appear in court.

Doles and Algonquin police (and Patch) encourage readers and residents to continue reaching out when they see dangerous or distracted drivers.

Patch reached out to police in Elgin, Crystal Lake and Palatine regarding reader responses to the above question, and we will continue updating this piece as new information becomes available.