QCOSTARICA – A total of 3.000 officials of the Fuerza Publica (police) and 150 from the Policia de Transito (traffic police) will be in charge of ensuring a safe back to school Monday, when nearly 5.000 public schools across the country open their doors, to some 950.000 preschool, primary and secondary students, for the 2015 school year.
Juan José Andrade, director of the Fuerza Publica, said the officers are assigned to provide security at the schools, in the vicinity of schools and at strategic points.
As part of their work, a group of officials will also be training an estimated 200.000 students in preventive programs such as DARE, Pinta Seguro, Eres Grande and the Programa Regional Antidrogas (PRAD).
“In addition, back is the preventive emphasis on issues of interest to the student population such as bullying and drug use and new preventive programs,” said Andrade.
Mario Calderon, head of the traffic police, explained that officers will focus on road safety at schools located near high-traffic roads, and highways.
Traffic officers will also be carrying out inspections of school buses.
The public school year in Costa Rica is from February to December.