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Deputy chief of Sarasota County Schools police urges caution as e-bikes, new drivers transform school-zone risks
Summary
In a Sarasota County Schools podcast, Deputy Chief Demetri Constantopulos urged drivers, parents and students to prioritize safety around schools amid darker mornings, more electric bikes and inexperienced teen drivers, and said a speed-detection program cut violations about 80% at one school.
Deputy Chief Demetri Constantopulos of the Sarasota County Schools Police Department urged drivers, parents and students to take simple precautions to make school zones safer, citing darker mornings from the recent clock change, more students riding electric bicycles and an influx of newly licensed teen drivers.
On the districts InTune podcast, host Chris Parentó opened the conversation by noting the range of safety risks in school zones. Constantopulos said the community must be aware of crosswalk locations, speed limits and the presence of crossing guards. "Claro, tenemos miles de niños cada día," he said, stressing the volume of students who walk, bike or are driven to school.
Constantopulos listed several specific safety concerns and recommendations. He advised cyclists to use a white front light and a red flashing rear light in low-visibility conditions and reminded drivers that ultimate responsibility rests with those behind the wheel. He also said Florida law treats a school crossing guard as a traffic-control device, and not obeying a guard can carry an additional fine "exactamente igual que si te saltaras una señal de alto o un semáforo." The deputy chief urged families to keep children on sidewalks and within designated crosswalks.
On micromobility, Constantopulos noted a sharp rise in students using electric bicycles and scooters and cautioned that parents may not appreciate how fast some devices can travel. "La bicicleta eléctrica es legal para la calle... pero una bicicleta eléctrica no puede superar las 28 millas por hora. Si tienes menos de 16 años, entonces sí que necesitas eh llevar un casco," he said, adding that electric motorcycles that can reach 70–75 km/h are not legal for street use without a motorcycle license.
The deputy chief highlighted an enforcement technology pilot in which a speed-detection program at one school on U.S. 41 (Southside) produced "una disminución del 80%" in violations. He said the drop reduced crashes and the need for live, on-site traffic enforcement.
Constantopulos also emphasized human factors: impatience during drop-off and pickup, drivers attempting to pass stopped school buses, and distracted driving because of phone use. He urged parents to allow more time for morning routines and to model patience and lawful behavior. "Guarden sus celulares y por favor no se distraigan," he said.
The podcast closed with a reminder that anyone who observes unsafe conditions near a schoolspeeding, hazardous pedestrian or bicycle conditionsshould report them to the school or local authorities so safety concerns can be addressed.
The comments came in an informational podcast episode; no formal actions, policy changes or votes were taken during the recording.
