URGENT: Critical School Bus Safety Reminder & Enhanced Law Enforcement Patrols

Subject: URGENT: Critical School Bus Safety Reminder & Enhanced Law Enforcement Patrols

Good Morning, Bethel Families,
We are writing to address recent reports of extremely concerning, reckless, and dangerous driving behavior around our school buses in Bethel.

Please remember: Passing a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended is illegal. More importantly, it directly puts the lives of our students—both on the bus and crossing the street—at risk for serious injury or worse. The safety of our children is non-negotiable.

To ensure our students remain safe, we are taking immediate action:

• Increased Patrols: Over the next few days and weeks, we are partnering directly with the Bethel Police Department and Alaska State Troopers. Extra law enforcement officers will be patrolling routes to pull over and cite anyone who violates school bus stop laws.
• Bus Camera Enforcement: New high-resolution bus cameras are now active and capturing images of vehicles, license plates, and drivers who endanger our students by passing stopped buses.

We need our entire community's help to protect our kids. If you witness a vehicle illegally passing a stopped school bus, please report the details (vehicle description, license plate, location, and time) to the Bethel Police Department immediately.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical safety matter and for keeping our children safe.Director of Operations, Lower Kuskokwim School District