OKMULKE, Oklahoma — As classes resume this week, various agencies across Oklahoma are working to keep children safe as they return to school, whether it’s by monitoring school zones for speeders or directing traffic flow around schools. To keep children and other members of the community safe during the back-to-school season, the Muscogee Nation’s Lighthorse Police, in partnership with the Okmulgee Police Department, have been monitoring school zones to help keep the community safer during this time.

This partnership was highlighted in a joint statement that the Lighthorse Police Department, in collaboration with the Okmulgee Police Department, posted on Facebook on the evening of August 21. In the statement, the two agencies reiterated their recent partnership work together to keep Okmulgee safe. Lighthorse police provided people with a number of tips on how to stay safe during the first few days of school.

“1. Slow down – Even if there are no signs, do not drive faster than 25 miles per hour. This gives you more time to react if there is a pedestrian on the road.

1. Watch for children – Children may not always be careful, especially when walking or cycling to school. Be extra vigilant, especially near schools.
2. Yield to pedestrians – Give way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare them, even if you have the right of way.
3. Stop for school buses – Drivers in all directions must stop when a school bus flashes its red lights. Failure to stop for a school bus is dangerous and can result in a hefty fine. You should also watch for children crossing the road after getting off the bus.
4. Obey the instructions of traffic officers – Traffic officers and school crossing guards may override traffic signs and signals to ensure the safety of students and parents. You should always stop when a school crossing guard holds up a stop sign.
5. Do not block crosswalks. If you block a crosswalk, pedestrians will have to walk around your car and could get in the way of other traffic.
6. Do not double park. Double parking obstructs other drivers’ visibility and can lead to accidents.
7. Drop off children at designated areas. Do not drop children off across the street from the school.”

In case of emergency, please contact the Lighthorse Police Department at 918-732-7800. To stay up to date with Lighthorse news and events, visit their Facebook page. Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department.