Botetourt Sheriff’s Department gears up for new school year Aug. 8

The Botetourt County Sheriff’s Department advises motorists to be careful during the opening of school. Lt. Jeff Stritesky of the Services Division said, “We will monitor the school zones to insure the safety of children on school buses as well as those arriving by car.  School zones have a posted 25 mph speed limit and will be enforced.”

Stritesky said, “Sheriff RN Sprinkle also has advised us to have a visible presence at schools throughout the school year, too. Deputies will frequently drive by and through parking lots during the day to deter crime. We are focusing an organized effort to protect our schools and students.”

Each secondary school has a deputy on site. That would include James River, Lord Botetourt , Central Academy, and Read Mountain, The school resource officers are as follows at James River: Deputy Butch Lewis, Lord Botetourt: Deputy Kevin Hix, Central Academy: Deputy Scott Gathje and Read Mountain: Deputy Todd Francis.

At the elementary school level, time is divided by the DARE officers, Deputy Kim Wyrick and Deputy Travis Alderman at the schools. “ We encourage students and especially parents to get to know our school resource officers,” he said.

Stritesky noted, “A school bus has an outward mounted camera placed on the bus by the school division. We will be getting video of those who do not obey the traffic laws involving stopping for school buses and will prosecute offenders.”

School buses also have cameras inside the bus for student safety.

For more information on school safety, Stritesky encouraged parents to contact their school or to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 540-928-2200.