As students and faculty head back to class, the FSU Police Department is encouraging everyone to pay attention when they’re walking and driving on campus through a new pedestrian safety campaign called Heads Up.
Uniformed FSUPD officers will hand out fliers and offer safety tips during the first week of classes in an effort to create a safer environment for pedestrians.
“Whether you’re a pedestrian or driving a vehicle, put your phone down — your safety depends on it, people’s lives depend on it,” said Interim Deputy Chief of Police Jason Trumbower. “The goal of this campaign is to remind people to pay attention, obey traffic laws and speeds, and use crosswalks and pedestrian signals. We want pedestrians and drivers, especially students, to engage with each other and make eye contact.”
FSUPD is collaborating with the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Government Association on the campaign, which also includes social media videos.
“Our university has faced its share of challenges as all universities do, and through them all, I’ve seen our students and community come together to support each other,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “We all want to work to make positive changes, and this campaign supports accountability and transparency so we can continue to help make our campus and surrounding community safer for all.”
The Heads Up safety initiative aligns with efforts by the university and the City of Tallahassee to create and design a safer place for pedestrians on and surrounding campus.
FSU worked with City of Tallahassee engineers to install speed tables and raised crosswalks in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
Some of the new safety measures include:
- Pensacola Street: Four speed tables and three raised crosswalks were installed between Macomb Street and Varsity Drive. A mobile speed detection trailer has been placed between Macomb and Copeland streets.
- Augustine Street: Six speed tables and one raised crosswalk were installed between Varsity Drive and Copeland Street.
- Jefferson Street: Two speed tables were installed on either side of the Lorene Street crosswalk.
- Around campus: 11 solar paneled speed detection signs and a mobile speed detection trailer will be installed at different locations throughout campus early this fall.
Over the summer, FSUPD educated students about the importance of pedestrian safety at orientation and Panhellenic Recruitment. This week, FSUPD officers are around campus, handing out fliers and talking to students about pedestrian safety.
“Officers will also be set up in different areas to enforce traffic laws,” Trumbower said.
Alexis Staveski, secretary of Student Services in the Student Government Association executive cabinet, is working with the Division of Student Affairs and FSU Police on the campaign. She said it’s exciting to work on something that directly impacts students.
Staveski also appreciates the support from FSUPD, the university administration and the City of Tallahassee.
“To know that everyone is kind of on our side and this is an issue that we can unite behind is really cool,” Staveski said.