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As school resumes in and around Knoxville, TN, officers are increasing patrols near schools, and pressing hard enforcement of speeding, distracted driving, and other school-zone safety issues, according to Knox News.

Knox County Schools — along with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Knoxville Police Department — held a back-to-school safety news conference on Tuesday to discuss increased safety and awareness in school transportation as well as information about school zone safety and school security measures.

Knoxville Police Department Deputy Chief Kenny Miller spoke about the importance of protecting children.

"Traffic enforcement is a priority year-round. It never stops. But it's a little special for school zones because of the children and how precious they are to us. I tell everybody, just like the public, we're parents and we have children and we value them. So we're going to make sure everybody's kids are safe, including our own," said Miller.