From the Desk of……… Sergeant Patrick Diamond

The River Edge Police Department has a zero-tolerance policy for motor vehicle violations within a school zone.  During drop-off / pick-up of children at one of our schools please be extra vigilant of the increase volume of pedestrians and obey the crossing guards.  Please utilize the drop-off / pick-up locations at each school, it’s the law.  The drop-off / pick-up locations are designated by signage.  When arriving at the school please pull all the way up to allow other drivers to enter the designated drop-off / pick-up areas.  This will help the traffic flow and allow the crossing guards to safely cross parents and children.   

For all schools, read and follow all traffic signs to be properly directed.

Drop-off / pick-up information:

Cherry Hill School:

• Bogert Road in front of the school, southbound and northbound. Drivers are not allowed to get out of the vehicle.
• Pedestrians, please cross Bogert Road (east / west) only at the marked crosswalk in front of the school. Avoid crossing Bogert Road east /west at Wayne Avenue or Howland Avenue.  This greatly improves both pedestrian and vehicular traffic by not having three guards having to stop / go traffic in a one block area.
• Do not block the box (intersection) at Bogert Road and Howland Avenue.
• If a Patrol Officer believes the northbound traffic on Bogert Road during drop-off / pick-up, is a safety concern, he will direct you to move along. Especially, once cars begin to double park.  You must follow the officers direction or you will receive a ticket for failure to follow an officers direction.     

New Bridge Center:     

• When entering the lot off of Green Street – maintain one lane of traffic that travels in a loop along the school side then turn to exit along the fence side. Avoid parking in the lot.  Parking on Bogert Road and walking is suggested when possible.

Roosevelt School:

• Summit Avenue in front of the school, southbound only – towards Continental Avenue.
• Oak Avenue, northbound only – from Continental Avenue to Webb Avenue. Drop-off / pick-up in the area of the sidewalk along the school property.  Drivers are not allowed to get out of the vehicle.
• You cannot drop-off / pick-up by driving down the dead-end of Bogert Road from Webb Avenue. You are not permitted to drive down Bogert Road from Webb Avenue for school related reasons.  Teachers are exempt, as they need to use this area for parking.       

River Dell Middle School:

• Woodland Avenue westbound in front of the school – drop-off / pick-up and go.
• If you choose to enter the circle at the main entrance, you must do so from Elm Avenue onto Woodland Avenue, making a right turn into the driveway. When exiting the driveway, you must turn right towards 5^th  (You cannot make left turns into or out of the main entrance driveway during pick-up / drop-off.) 
• Do not block the main entrance driveway on Woodland Avenue while waiting to drop-off / pick-up.  
• Rear lot off of 5^th Come in on Surrey Lane, drop-off / pick-up, then exit on Kenwood Road.
• If you choose to drop-off / pick-up on Wales Avenue, by the “path”, do not block the intersection corners in the area of Millbrook Road. Remember 25’ from corners – 50’ from stops signs.   

St. Peter Academy:

• We encourage the use of the parking lot. There is a drop-off / pick-up area in front of the school, southbound on 5^th   Please obey the no parking areas on the side streets and use the marked crosswalks.  
• Do not cross or let your child cross 5^th Avenue mid-block – use the crosswalks and crossing guard.

General information:

• You cannot park within 25’ of an intersection or crosswalk – approximate length of a large SUV.
• You cannot park within 50’ of a stop sign – approximate length is 2 large SUV’s.
• You cannot park within 10’ of a fire hydrant – approximate length of an average car.
• The speed limit around all schools in River Edge is 25 MPH.
• If you have a concern with a crossing guard, please report it to the police desk 201-262-1233. Please do not yell at them, argue with them, or distract them from crossing the children.  We encourage you to report serious concerns, but also remind you that they are human too, and none of us are perfect. 
• We are always looking for more crossing guards, the starting pay is $20.00 and hour. Apply here:    https://www.riveredgenj.org/evo_jobs_paper_application_download/994/ 
• If you believe you have a unique situation that you believe may call for an exception, please contact Lieutenant Starost (201-599-6319) and your request will be considered.

SAFETY IS ALWAYS PRIORITY

Traffic in and by itself is not always a safety concern.  Cars backed up for an entire block does not give reason to violate traffic laws.  Running late, does not give reason to violate traffic laws.  Your child needing to carry extra items to or from school does not give reason to park where ever you want. 

Being late or walking a little further does not violate the law, but it will keep you safe!  

If you commute to work through a school zone, it is suggested that you find another route during the school year.  Why sit in traffic?