Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s deputies are set to meet with City of Santa Clarita officials next week to discuss further plans to address pedestrian safety as California Pedestrian Safety Month in September approaches, according to officials.

“We have a meeting with the City next week to see what further steps we’re going to take on top of normal patrolling,” Sergeant D. Scott Shoemaker said. “No traffic operation has been set for the month of September.”

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials expect to remind drivers and pedestrians via social media to be alert and cautious on and around roadways, officials said.

“The Santa Clarita Sheriff’s station will promote public awareness aimed at pedestrian safety through social media,” Shoemaker said.

Deputies are always out, watching to see if pedestrians are following pedestrian laws and drivers are cautious of pedestrians, Shoemaker added. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station focuses enforcement on both drivers and pedestrians alike.  

Related: Santa Clarita Deputies Issue 67 Citations During Bike, Pedestrian Safety Enforcement

The number of pedestrians killed or injured on roadways is rising nationally, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  In 2016, 867 pedestrians were killed and more than 14,000 were injured in California alone — which is nearly a 33-percent increase from 2012.  

“Safety goes both ways, and drivers and pedestrians must work together to exhibit safe behaviors that protect themselves and those around them, reducing injuries and saving lives,” stated a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Despite the nationwide increase in pedestrian deaths, there were zero pedestrian deaths in Santa Clarita in 2017, according to the latest Governors Highway Safety Association data.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.