As the Ames Community School District starts its fall semester, local police are increasing speed enforcement and hoping to encourage commuters to be aware of surroundings.

With the closing of three elementary schools last spring and the opening of a new middle school next week, Ames Police are focusing on safety for students. New crosswalks, crossing guards and areas of heavy traffic are the focus of the enhanced patrols.

In the weeks leading up to the first day of elementary and high schools Thursday, Ames Police have increased enforcement in the areas of the new schools and crossings, said Rollie Link, the day-shift patrol lieutenant for Ames Police.

Link said the target areas include Grand Avenue, with specific concentration on the intersections at 9th Street and 13th Street; the new crossing at Burnett Avenue and 13th Street and the old crossings on State Street and Franklin Street.

“We also had our speed trailer out near the different school locations,” said Ames Police Cmdr. Jim Robinson.

Because of the new middle school, which opens Tuesday, speed enforcement on Mortensen Avenue will be very important, Link said.

“We’re moving a lot of our resources to those areas, so we’re going to bring in extra officers to assist with the new enforcement,” he said.

“We have a lot of new college students in the area — not just new ones, but they’re all coming back to Ames and they’re not accustomed to the new school out there. There’s going to be a lot of foot and car traffic. We’re hoping that by putting this information out there, the students and commuters are aware this is going on.”

Robinson said the area near the middle school is growing, which results in more traffic.

“We hope that anyone in that area, not just students, be mindful of the situation and new location. We’ll be having a speed trailer out there as well, and we hope that will make drivers mindful of the new students who might be walking or riding their bikes to school,” he said.

Link said Ames Police’s main concern is public awareness.

“We don’t want to write tickets; we want to raise awareness. Our trouble area is complacency, so it’s important that commuters are paying attention,” he said.