Say hello to our newly hired officers, CSO J. Garcia and CSO J. Zepeda. Officers Garcia and Zepeda were recently hired to help support morning arrival and afternoon dismissal at Dinuba High School. Their main duties include assisting with traffic flow and helping students safely cross at the roundabout near campus so students, families, and drivers can travel safely during the busiest parts of the day.

The addition to these officers came after a serious incident in which a student was hit by a driver coming from the direction of Alta Ave. According to DETV, the driver did not stop after the incident. Many teachers, students, and family members close to the student were shocked and upset by what happened. The school took the situation seriously and responded by hiring the new officers to improve safety around campus.

Having officers present during arrival and dismissal is an important step toward keeping students safe. With more traffic on the roads before and after school, their presence can help reduce accidents, keep cars moving in an orderly way, and protect pedestrians crossing the street.

CSO J. Zepeda shared that many students do not always pay attention when crossing the road. “One thing students don’t realize is that they don’t check both sides; they just walk through the street and don’t even push the button. Advice I would give students to stay safe during the day is to look both ways,” said Zepeda.

Students should also remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility. Always look both ways before crossing, stop and wait for cars to slow down, and stay alert when walking near traffic. Many people care about your safety, including Dinuba High School.