Operation S.T.O.P. kickstarts for safer school travel in Mississippi

Published 2:02 pm Tuesday, August 29, 2023

School is back in session and to help ensure students’ safety to and from school, the Mississippi Highway Patrol has begun their annual school travel safety campaign.

Operation S.T.O.P. — Safe Transport of Pupils — is aimed at reminding motorists to take extra precautions in school zones, around school buses and while traveling or transporting students to and from school.

“We want students, parents, teachers and staff across our state to arrive at school and back home safely. The Mississippi Highway Patrol will continue its mission to enforce highway safety laws and enhance safety across our state,” Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said.

Operation S.T.O.P. was initiated in 2017, MHP Public Affairs Division Southern Region Supervisor Master Sgt. Kervin Stewart said, and has continued to place Troopers in school zones during the academic year to observe traffic and bus stops as well as placing them in possible problem areas to monitor these certain conditions along with the usage of seatbelts for those who are transporting students to and from school. Mississippi Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officers will also use social media to help spread awareness about this campaign, which will be a priority throughout the school year.

“The Mississippi Highway Patrol is committed to protecting our students across the state,” MHP Col. Randy Ginn said. “Today’s students are the future leaders of tomorrow, and it is in our best interests to protect them as they travel to and from school.”

In 2022, Mississippi reported 280 crashes state-wide involving school buses, with 55 injuries and one fatality. Two hundred sixty-eight crashes have been reported in 2023 to date, with 59 injuries and one fatality.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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