ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Motorists breaking traffic laws around Elk Grove Unified School District campuses can expect citations through the mail after the Elk Grove Police Department reiterated plans to use video evidence to help deter parking complaints around schools. 

The Police Department reminded the community of the new plans via a Facebook post last week in response to numerous complaints from community members about improperly parked vehicles and motorists who stop improperly near schools.

“Despite previous education and enforcement efforts, unsafe behaviors continue to put students and families at risk,” the department wrote in a Facebook post.

Police plan to use body camera footage or patrol vehicle footage to issue the citations. In the post, the department stressed that the new strategy was not a revenue-generating move. 

The announcement was met with support from Facebook respondents.

“Please come by Miwok Village Elementary School at pickup time,” Ron Chan wrote in response to the post. “So many violations, like but not limited to double parking, stopped cars waiting for students into their cars and blocking traffic…”

“A million thanks,” Michael Wong, a retired school nurse, wrote. “Once I needed to go from one school to another to take care of a diabetic student. My car was blocked by a mom waiting in line for school dismissal. Despite my request for her to move, she refused.” 

According to the Department, anyone who believes a citation was issued in error can contest the citation. 

“Our goal is not to create undue hardship but to promote compliance with safety regulations,” the Department wrote. 

“We know that drop-off and pick-up times can be hectic, but we urge everyone to follow traffic laws to keep our schools safe,” the department added. “Thank you for your cooperation in making our schools zones safer for everyone. Together, we can ensure a safer journey for our students and families.” 

An Elk Grove High School student was arrested by Sacramento County Sheriff Deputies on Thursday, Jan. 16 after a firearm was allegedly found in the student’s backpack, according to Sacramento Sheriff’s news release. 

According to the news release, the Elk Grove Unified School District received information about a student rumored to have a firearm on the Elk Grove High School campus around 10:30 a.m.

Sacramento County deputies and the school’s Elk Grove Police Department resource officer responded,  but while being escorted to the front office with school staff, the student allegedly began to resist arrest and pull away from officers as they tried to apply handcuffs. 

After a struggle, the student was escorted to the front office. 

Due to being a minor, the 16-year-old student’s identity was not revealed. 

The student was taken into custody and booked into Sacramento County Juvenile Hall for several felony charges, including possession of an unserialized firearm on a school campus and resisting arrest.

Both Albiani Middle School and Pleasant Grove High School were briefly put on lockdown on Friday, Jan. 17 after a student was reported to possibly be in possession of a weapon or contraband. 

According to an Elk Grove Police Department social media post, the student fled from administrators before being detained by a school resource officer. 

After a search, nothing was found, and the lockdown was lifted. 

The lockdown came a day after a 16-year-old Elk Grove High School student was arrested for having an unserialized firearm on campus and resisting arrest. 

That student was transported to the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility after the incident.