FONTANA, CA – The Fontana School Police Department (FSPD) has received a $34,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to launch an initiative that will help improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the Fontana Unified School District.

The FSPD will use the grant to bolster community-focused programming designed to reduce road accidents. By focusing on education and prevention, the Department will promote best practices and encourage community members to take extra precautions on the road to ensure everyone’s safety.

“Thanks to the California Office of Traffic Safety, we can better protect our District student body and help preserve their futures,” FSPD Chief Carlo Granillo said. “With 33,000 students over 45 schools, this grant allows us to be better equipped with time and resources to serve the Fontana community.”

With the grant, the Department will be able to strengthen partnerships and engage the community to work side-by-side to increase road safety and prevent accidents before they happen. Overtime hours will be allocated specifically for officers to spend time on pedestrian safety, education, and direct prevention, without being pulled away from other duties.

FSPD officers will give safety presentations to classrooms and community groups, and facilitate bike rodeos along with other community events to teach students the skills and precautions for bike safety. At these events, the Department will distribute bike helmets and other pedestrian safety equipment, with a focus on underserved areas with higher rates of pedestrian and bicycle-related accidents.

“Children are our greatest treasure,” Granillo said. “Parents and guardians must help us set an example for our youth, by encouraging their kids to wear helmets and practicing caution during school pickup and drop-offs themselves.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_GRANT1: The Fontana School Police Department has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to help improve road safety throughout Fontana Unified. The FSPD will promote best practices and encourage community members to take extra precautions on the road to ensure everyone’s safety.

FUSD_GRANT2: A group of students cross the street heading to Juniper Elementary School. The Fontana School Police Department has received a $34,000 grant to bolster community-focused programming designed to reduce road accidents in Fontana Unified.