Our Village Police Officer has recently retired. If you have a complaint or problem and need assistance from the police department, please call the non-emergency dispatch number.  A Jefferson County Sheriff or NY State Police will be dispatched to the problem.

NON-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
POLICE/SHERIFF:  315-786-2601
STATE POLICE:  315-782-2112
FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL 911

Free gun locks can be obtained at the Village Office.
T he General Brown Central School District will resume classes on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Children will once again be walking to school through neighborhoods, waiting at bus stops and being dropped off at schools by parents and buses. The beginning of the school year is an especially important time to check your driving behavior and ensure you are practicing the safest driving habits.

Motorists can assist with keeping children safe when headed back to school by following these tips:

  • Plan ahead. Leave home earlier than normal to allow enough time to reach your destination without rushing. Be careful backing out of your driveway; take the extra time to look over your shoulder to make sure a child isn’t behind your vehicle.

  • Come to a complete stop. Always come to a complete stop at stop signs, and be sure to check carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding. Be sure to obey the crossing guards.

  • Slow down! Remember, school speed zones are reduced for a reason. When entering a school zone, slow down to the posted speed limit and be extra alert for children on foot and on bicycles. You must obey the posted school zone speed limit on school days between the hours of 7:00am and 6:00pm. Additionally, you must also obey the posted school zone speed limit anytime the yellow lights affixed to the speed limit signs are flashing.

  • NEVER pass a school bus with red flashing lights on/stop arm down. Be cautious when approaching school buses. Please be patient as children enter and exit school buses. All drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying red flashing lights/STOP arm and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus STOP arm is withdrawn. It is illegal to proceed around a school bus with the red flashing lights on/STOP arm engaged-this includes in the school parking lots!

  • Eliminate distractions. Leave time in the morning to eat and groom before entering your vehicle and stay off the phone while driving. As a reminder, New York bans the use of all hand-held devices while driving in New York as well as texting while driving.

  • School parking/drop off/pick up. Follow each school’s traffic and parking plans and signage. This includes adhering to parking signage on nearby streets. If you have questions or want more information on your school’s traffic and parking plan, please contact your school.

  • Talk to your teen. Car crashes are among the leading causes of death for teens in the United States. According to AAA, nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occurs during the after school hours of 3 to 7 pm. Remind them to slow down, reduce distractions and be aware of their surroundings.


Parents are encouraged to talk to their child about safety while walking and biking to and from school as well as while riding the school bus.

Here are a few safety tips for walkers, bikers and bus riders:

WALKER AND BIKERS
  • Plan the route. Before the first day of school, walk to and from school with your child and plan a route. Instruct your child to always take the planned route and to never take shortcuts.

  • Cross safely. Limit the number of street crossings. When available, cross at a location with an adult school crossing guard. Always look both ways and cross the street at intersections or in a crosswalk. Young children may think that a car is able to stop, when in fact, it is not. Also, children may think that if they can see a driver, the driver can see them. But children are smaller and harder for drivers to see. Get down to a child’s height to experience their perspective and see what they see.

  • Bike safety. ALWAYS wear a helmet and make sure your bike is safe to ride-tires inflated, brakes are operational, chain is in good repair, etc.

  • Eliminate distractions. Stay alert and avoid distracted walking/biking. Do not text and walk/bike. If you wear earbuds, only use 1 earbud while walking/biking so that you can hear potential hazards around you.
BUS RIDERS
  • Listen. Always listen to the bus driver and follow their directions. Pay attention when the school conducts bus safety drills during the year.

  • Ride safely. Remain seated facing forward at all times while on the bus.

  • Traffic. When entering and exiting the bus, always double check for traffic-even if the bus driver has given you the okay.


We can all help keep our kids safe by staying alert and looking out for one another. This goes for safety while at school as well. If you know of any suspicious or dangerous activities, report it to law enforcement immediately. If you see something, say something! We can help our kids safe by working together.

Have a safe and happy school year!


- Officer Christine Kennedy