Wichita police cited more than two dozen students for seat belt violations during a morning enforcement operation at Northwest High School.
Six officers stood watch at the school's entrances and observed whether drivers and passengers were buckled up. A total of 28 drivers were stopped. 26 people received seat belt citations. The other two people were ticketed for right of way violations, WPD spokesman Lt. Doug Nolte said.
Students were told for two days that a seat belt surprise was in the works, with announcements made by administrators, Nolte said. "We're not trying to trick anybody," Nolte added.
Some students voiced their displeasure on Twitter. @Manna_34 wrote: "SHOUT OUT TO THE @WichitaPolice for ruining over 200 kids day today. Do you have nothing better to do?! You need money that bad?!"
Nolte said the operation was not about revenue, it was about educating teen drivers on the importance of wearing seat belts.
Similar operations are planned for other Wichita high schools in the near future, Nolte said.
