Beware: increased police presence in area

MHCC drivers, proceed with caution: Gresham police are beefing up traffic patrols around Mt. Hood’s Gresham campus and surrounding areas.

Funds from a “Safe Routes to Schools” federal-state grant program are going toward additional police presence around Hall Elementary School (2505 N.E. 23^rd St.) and the Mt. Hood campus through the end of the school year, in June.

“Officers will concentrate on school zones, student pick-up and drop-off locations, and crosswalks. Drivers who are identified as breaking laws will be stopped and may receive a citation in addition to an educational pamphlet,” said Craig Junginger, Gresham police chief, in a news release.

Motorists must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. They must stop before crossing the solid white line when a crosswalk is in use and, of course, stop at stop signs.

Pedestrians should also beware: They must cross traffic lanes within crosswalks and perpendicular to the road, and comply with posted signs.

Wayne Feagle, director of MHCC Public Safety, said MHCC drivers should not be affected as long as they comply with traffic laws.

Gresham police may be on campus while conducting traffic stops, Feagle noted. Public Safety will continue patrolling as normal, he said.