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Police say school-zone "blue-light" presence was an early-year signal; staffing limits constrain daily cruiser coverage
Summary
After a parent complaint citing a student struck last year, HPD told the joint committee that cruiser 'blue-light' deployments were meant as early-year safety reminders, responses are complaint-driven and the department lacks staffing to place an officer at every school every day; the committee recorded the communication as 'complied with.'
A written complaint from a West Franklin Street parent about dangerous speeding during school drop-off and pickup prompted a Dec. 10 update from the superintendent and Holyoke Police Department.
Christina Schilling’s email — read into the record — said she had not seen cruiser presence at Kelly School during drop-off/pick-up and recalled a student struck the previous year. Superintendent Anthony Sotos asked HPD to comment on ongoing efforts; an HPD representative (filling in for Chief Keenan) and Lieutenant Leahy explained the "blue-light" cruiser initiative was intended as a beginning-of-year visibility measure, not daily constant coverage.
HPD said it responds to speeding complaints and attempts to assign cruisers to arrival and dismissal when staffing allows, but the department does not have the personnel to place an officer at every school every day. The department noted that existing pedestrian-protection devices, where installed, help reduce speeding in school zones.
Committee members asked whether there had been any new incidents this school year; HPD reported no out-of-the-ordinary accidents reported in school zones this year and said complaints have been roughly at typical levels. The committee asked staff to continue coordinating with HPD and logged the item as "complied with."
