Giles County Sheriff's Office now supervises school zone to keep students and parents safe

GILES CO., Va. (WDBJ) - Outside schools across our hometowns, you’ll see signs flashing in the morning and afternoon as students are coming in and out of school, warning drivers to slow down.

But law enforcement said sometimes it’s not enough to get drivers to stop speeding around schools. That’s why Giles County Sheriff’s office is taking an extra step to keep students and parents safe at Eastern Elementary Middle School.

Located just off Route 460, with hundreds of students being picked up and dropped off throughout the day, Sheriff Morgan Millirons said exiting EEMS can get scary.

“A lot of times they all come in there at the same time, and with them pulling out on the highway, you come to a dead stop before you enter a four-lane highway,” he explained. “If somebody’s not paying attention, or they come through well over the speed limit, we’re going to have a disaster on our hands.”

Flashing bright lights weren’t doing the trick to tell drivers the speed limit drops to 35 miles per hour. On rainy days like Tuesday, they can be hard to see.

At the beginning of the school year, the Sheriff’s Office started a new approach that Principal Jason Mills says catches the eye a little better.

“The increased presence by the Sheriff’s Office just calls everyone’s attention to it, helps them to pay a little bit more attention and understand this is a school zone,” said Principal Mills. “Just another layer of safety for our students, our staff, our parents is very helpful.”

Deputies with Giles County Sheriff’s Office sit along Rt. 460 by the school in the morning and afternoons while the school zone is active to monitor for speeding.

For those who still fly through, Sheriff Millirons said they’ve given mostly warnings, but some citations in hopes those speeders learn their lesson.

“We’re not out here to write a bunch of tickets. That’s not what we’re here for,” said the Sheriff. “We’re out here to slow the cars down and to make sure they’re aware that it is a school safety zone and the speed limit is reduced in that area two times a day.”

Principal Mills said it’s something parents appreciate having for their children to support their safety and it’s great for the students to see, as well.

“Our Sheriff’s Office is here for our kids. I think it’s a great thing and I think it’s good for the kids to see that members of law enforcement are their friends, they’re there to help, they’re there to keep them safe.” said Mills. “I just think it’s good for the whole community.”

Sheriff Millirons said he’s also looking into some brighter warning signage for the school. For now, he plans on keeping deputies present throughout the year to make sure all students get to school safely each day.

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