OCSO and KPD keep students safe with Operation BFF

The Kissimmee Police Department (KPD) and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) are making sure kids stay safe as they head back to school. That’s why on August 15, officers from KPD and OCSO will be conducting their second high-visibility crosswalk enforcement action, dubbed Operation BFF, across Osceola County. At their first Operation, more than 95 drivers received a citation or warning for failure to stop for a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk.

On the flip side, a number of drivers did comply with the law.  One driver even called out that he had heard about the operation on the news and knew that if he didn’t stop, he was going to get a ticket. That’s where enforcement and education intertwine – through the media coverage before and after Operation BFF.

OCSO and KPD will be conducting Operation BFF on Wednesday, August 15, beginning at 7:30AM.

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Back in April, KPD and OCSO enforced the driver yield law at three marked crosswalks near local schools.

Enforced crosswalks include:

• Donegan Ave & Coral Ave. – Speed limit: 35mph – OCSO
• Thacker Ave & Kissimmee Trail (2310 N. Thacker Ave.) – Speed limit: 40mph – KPD
• Hoagland Blvd. & Hideaway Bay – Speed limit: 30mph – KPD

Officers dressed in plain clothes crossed the street in these crosswalks, giving drivers enough time to yield to them. Those who didn’t – a total of 96 – were pulled over and given a warning or a citation. Officers also took the time to educate drivers on the driver yield law and their responsibility in keeping people walking safe. Thank you, KPD and OSCO, for all of your hard work.

Both education and enforcement are part of the “Triple E” method of combining high-visibility Enforcement, Education and low-cost Engineering at marked crosswalks where drivers fail to yield to people walking. The Best Foot Forward coalition, which helps coordinate Operation BFF, has been implementing this method in Orange County since 2012 with positive results.

Local officials came out to support the cause and see first-hand was enforcement was all about with OCSO and KPD’s first enforcement action. A huge thank you to Osceola County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, Kissimmee Mayor Jose Alvarez, Kissimmee Commissioner Olga Gonzalez and Kissimmee Commissioner Jim Fisher for putting your best foot forward and showing your support.

Local media also hit the streets to get the inside scoop on Operation BFF. Reporters and camera crews from News 13, WKMG News 6, WFTV Channel 9 and WESH 2 News shared the story on the air, while WDBO filled drivers in through the radio. Thank you to our local media for helping spread the message of safety in the crosswalks. For every person stopped, BFF hopes to educate at least 1,000 more through traditional and social media. Check out all of our media coverage on our YouTube channel.

Check back on our social media pages and website for information about enforced crosswalks and times for the upcoming Operation BFF.