Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-School Crossing Guard Unit
-School Resource Officers
-Community Policing Officers

What:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies and School Crossing Guards will join students for the “International Walk-Bike to School Day” event on Wednesday, October 7, 2015.

When:
The event will be held before the start of school. Meeting locations and start times vary.

Where:
The walk will be held at various elementary and middle schools (approximately 21) throughout Pinellas County.

The schools registered to participate include Belcher Elementary, Blanton Elementary, Curlew Creek Elementary, Cypress Woods Elementary,  Frontier Elementary, Garrison Jones Elementary, Gulf Beach Elementary, Highland Lakes Elementary, Lake St. George Elementary, Lealman Elementary, Oakhurst Elementary, Oldsmar Elementary, Orange Grove Elementary, Ponce De Leon Elementary, Plumb Elementary, Rawlings Elementary, Ridgecrest Elementary, San Jose Elementary, Safety Harbor Elementary, Starkey Elementary, Walsingham Elementary and East Lake Middle School.

Why/How:
The purpose of the “International Walk-Bike to School Day” is to promote pedestrian safety and teach children best practices for walking to school each day. The program also includes safety information for students who ride their bikes to school. The event will help students become aware of directions, street signs, traffic patterns and good pedestrian/bicycling behavior.

The event also promotes good health and fitness by giving students an opportunity to exercise each day; as well as clean environment by getting people out of their vehicles, using less fuel and not adding carbon monoxide to the air.

It further promotes a sense of community, as it allows the opportunity for students to socialize with other kids on the way to school; and for parents to dialogue with their children.

Deputies will be assigned to the various schools listed above to assist with traffic control and heightened visibility.

School staff, administrators, community representatives, and parents are all welcome to participate in the walk/ride with the students.

Media is invited to cover. For further information please call the Sheriff’s Public Information Office at 727-582-6221.