Slow Down Lathrop

Help us keep our neighborhoods safe

Slow Down Lathrop is a citywide traffic safety effort designed to reduce dangerous speeds, support safe travel near schools and neighborhoods, and give families simple tools to help keep their loved ones safe. The Lathrop Police Department is committed to making every street safer for everyone who walks, bikes, or drives in our community. But we can't do it alone. We need your help!

Enforcement and Community Patrols

The Lathrop Police Department uses education, engagement, and enforcement to support safer streets. Officers focus on:

Speed enforcement in neighborhoods and near schools
School-area patrols during pick-up and drop-off times
Monitoring stop sign compliance and crosswalk violations
Responding to community concerns about unsafe driving
Deploying traffic trailers and other visibility tools in priority locations

Our goal is not to issue citations but to prevent dangerous behaviors that put residents at risk.

Safety Tips for Drivers

Drive like every street is a school zone. Children, teens, families, seniors, and workers move throughout our city all day long. Slowing down protects lives and prevents serious injuries.

Key reminders:

Follow posted speed limits and reduce your speed on residential streets
Stop fully at crosswalks and watch for people stepping off the curb
Avoid distractions while driving, especially near schools
Give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing
Never block crosswalks, bike lanes, or intersections
Be patient with school traffic and expect delays during drop-off and pick-up times.

Safety Tips for Cyclists

Whether you ride for transportation, recreation, or to and from school, these tips help keep you safe:

Wear a properly fitted helmet
Ride with traffic and follow all traffic laws
Use lights and reflectors at night
Signal your turns so drivers and pedestrians can anticipate your movement
Stay alert for car doors, turning vehicles, and driveways

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

Small habits make a big difference

Use sidewalks when available and walk facing traffic if no sidewalk is present
Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
Use marked crosswalks and obey pedestrian signals
Increase visibility at night by wearing lighter colors or reflective material

Teach kids to always stop, look, and listen before crossing

Resources for Parents and Neighborhood Leaders

You play a vital role in building a culture of safety in Lathrop.

For Parents

Talk to children about safe walking and biking habits
Practice walking routes to school together
Encourage students to avoid using mobile devices while crossing
Model safe behavior when driving in school zones

For Neighborhood Leaders & HOAs

Host a neighborhood safety meeting with an officer
Report chronic problem areas for targeted patrol

Citywide Safety Project Updates

The City of Lathrop and the Lathrop Police Department are working together on improvements that support safer travel for everyone. Examples include:

New crosswalk enhancements
Intersection visibility improvements
School-area safety upgrades
Traffic calming in key locations
Coordination with Public Works on signage and pavement markings

Updates will be shared on this page as projects move through design and construction.

Get Involved

The Slow Down Lathrop campaign is built on community partnership. You can help by: sharing safety tips with family and neighbors, reporting unsafe driving patterns, and following Lathrop Police Department updates on social media

Together, we can help make every street a safer place to walk, bike, and drive. Help us keep our neighborhoods safe for everyone!

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