Moorhead police will be emphasizing traffic safety surrounding Moorhead schools on Sept. 2, the first day local students return to their studies. The daylong focus – planned to become an annual event – will be called “Adam Amin Traffic Safety Day” as a tribute to the 9-year-old killed in a traffic accident near S.G. Reinertson School on July 31.

Moorhead Police Chief Chris Helmick told the City Council Monday that local concerns following the boy’s death spurred the department’s plan to support a 24-hour emphasis on safety near street crossings and school drop-off and pick-up areas … along with ongoing efforts to educate drivers and students.

The department will have what Helmick termed “an increased presence” and high visibility around elementary schools as well as the middle and high schools on that first Tuesday. He said the Clay County Sheriff and Minnesota State Patrol have also been invited to participate.

“It’s only one day,” he conceded, pointing out his department lacks the resources to make it an every-day practice. “The key piece here is that the traveling public plays a key role. Slow down! Pay attention to traffic control devices. Be patient. There’s a lot of extra traffic around our schools, especially at the start and end of the day.” He added that special attention will be paid to vehicles traveling between Moorhead High and the Career Academy.