It’s Back to School! The Monterey Park Police Department Encourages the Public to Stay Aware and Stay Safe in School Zones

As students head back to the classroom, schools and the communities around them are going to be busier than they’ve been since the start of the pandemic.
The Monterey Park reminds everyone to stay aware and stay safe with increased traffic returning to school zones.
“There are going to be a lot more parents, students and staff out there than residents have seen in more than a year,” Monterey Park Police Chief Kelly Gordon said. “Please drive carefully in school zones, especially during pick-up and drop-off times.”
This includes remembering what to do around school buses.
“The easiest, safest thing to do is to stop the car when you encounter a school bus with a stop sign and flashing red lights,” MPPD Sergeant Peter Yung said. “There are going to be students getting on and off the school bus. It’s also the law.”
California law requires drivers to stop when a school bus is in front of them and extends its stop sign with flashing red lights. Drivers must remain stopped if the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.
The Monterey Park Police Department  offers the following tips to stay safe around schools:

• Slow down.
• Follow any school rules for dropping off or picking up students.
• Stop for school buses. Watch for children rushing to catch the bus or exiting.
• Whenever possible, avoid blocking the crosswalk while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street. Make sure cars see you.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available. Cross at marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals.
• Watch for cars entering or backing out of driveways or leaving parking spaces.

Bicyclist Involved Injury Traffic Collision

Monterey Park, Calif. – On August 22, 2021, at 12:12 a.m., Monterey Park Police Officers responded to a call of an injury Hit and Run traffic collision in the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Brightwood Street.  A male bicyclist was struck by a vehicle travelling south bound on Atlantic Boulevard.  The driver fled the scene in a white truck or SUV described as a Toyota Tundra equipped with a camper shell or Toyota Sequoia.
The Monterey Park Fire Department transported the bicyclist to a nearby hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.  The cause of the collision is under investigation by the Monterey Park Police Department Traffic Bureau.
The below photos depict the type of vehicle involved in the collision. The suspect vehicle sustained damage to the passenger side front end. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Monterey Park Police Department’s Traffic Investigator, B. Stothers at 626-307-1238 or the Watch Commander at 626-307-1200.
Suspect vehicle is a white Toyota Tundra, possibly with a camper shell over the bed or a white Toyota Sequoia.