NORWICH – The City of Norwich Police Department will be working closely with Norwich schools in a statewide initiative for one day of media awareness and strict enforcement. “Operation Safe Stop,” on Tuesday, will find city officers dedicated to focusing in on people’s compliance with the traffic laws, concerning school bus safety.

“The Norwich Police will have both marked and un-marked patrol cars following Norwich School buses, or we will have patrol cars posted at historically dangerous school bus stops,” said Police Chief Joseph Angelino.

When a school bus comes to a stop and has its red flashing lights or sign extended, both lanes of traffic must stop according to New York State law. Between 2002 and 2004, 69 New York school students were struck and injured; one was even killed by a motorist passing a stopped school bus. The fines for passing a stopped school bus are designed to be heavy-handed and a first conviction will cost a person between $250 and $400. A second offense will cost between $600 and $750, a third between $750 and $1,000. These numbers do not include court surcharges, legal defense costs or insurance increases.