Dear citizens of Show Low:

 With school starting on August 6, now is an excellent time to discuss traffic safety. Nationally, citizens across America continually tell their local governments that traffic concerns are at the top list of issues they face. While citizens rarely worry about the crime rate, they almost always have issues with traffic, noise, graffiti, and other public nuisance issues. The City of Show Low is no different and the Police Department continually assesses how we respond to these traffic concerns.

 For the last several months, we have all been zipping around town without any concern for school buses, kids headed to school on foot and bikes, and those pesky school zones that make us slow down when we are rushed. However, since school is back in session, these hazards and delays should be at the forefront of our minds. With safety of foremost importance, our local police officers will have a visible presence at all of our schools, specifically, at the start and end of each school day. They will be there to encourage safe driving and will be issuing citations for all violations.

 Over the last few months we have also seen a dramatic increase in the number of cars on our roadways. This has resulted in three traffic fatalities in the City of Show Low and many more on the roadways and trails throughout Navajo County. The Police Department has investigated and assessed each of the three incidents in our city. It is important to note that the dynamics of each collision have been very different and that speed and alcohol were not factors in these tragic situations. As we continue into the fall, we hope that each of you remembers to buckle up and drive safely on each and every trip you take.

 The last comment I have is actually an invitation. You may not know that the Police Department has a ride-along program. We encourage you to take a few hours to ride with one of our police officers. You can ride-along on a busy Friday evening shift, see what we do while working speed enforcement in a school zone on a Monday morning, or pick any other time that works for your schedule. We have you sign a brief liability waiver and ask that you dress appropriately.

 The Show Low Police Department is developing new programs to serve you better. Please come see what we are doing to help make the community safer and how you might assist us in those activities.

 Thank you,

 Chief Smythe