5 high schools require STOPPED stickers

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Five Kent County high schools are requiring students who park on campus to be signed up for a sheriff's department program that notifies parents when teens are pulled over.

The STOPPED program -- Sheriffs Telling Our Parents and Promoting Educated Drivers -- provides signed-up families with a stop sign sticker with a unique ID number. That sticker is placed on the windshield in the upper corner of the passenger's side.

When a vehicle with a STOPPED sticker is pulled over, deputies report the reason for the stop to the Michigan Sheriffs' Association using the ID number, which then sends an email to parents regardless of whether or not the teen is ticketed.

"I think it should be a good idea because these children, their parents aren't here watching them all the time," said parent Lisa Wierenga. "Those kids get out of practice or out of school and they get in their cars, and it's like they're racing to get out."

16-year-old Calvin Nguyen, an East Kentwood High School student, told 24 Hour News 8 the program will change the way he drives.

"I don't want my parents to find out what's really going on with how bad I'm driving, if I drive badly," he said.

This year, students who park at  Byron Center, East Kentwood, Kenowa Hills, Northview and Sparta high schools must be registered in the STOPPED program.

"Couple of them might be mad, but it's for the best," said Nguyen. "I don't mind it that much. It will help keep the streets a little safer."

Last year, STOPPED registrations in the county totaled 1,925. With the addition of East Kentwood High School this year, that number is expected to rise.

Many parents support the program.

"If someone else is watching, or they think someone else is watching, it might make them behave themselves," said Wierenga. "Can't raise them by yourself."

With State Farm Insurance underwriting, the program comes at no cost to students or their parents.

--

Online:

STOPPED

--

24 Hour News 8's Leon Hendrix contributed to this report.