POULSBO — City police have begun “emphasis patrols” on Hostmark Street to ensure motorists are following speed limits and yield laws near local schools.

The City of Poulsbo has completed 1,800 feet of sidewalk and bicycle lane improvements on Hostmark Street, funded with a state Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Grant.

This new sidewalk segment fills a gap and provides a continuous sidewalk network between Poulsbo Elementary School, Poulsbo Middle School, North Kitsap High School, and neighborhoods.

In data gathered for the grant application, the city found that 85 percent of motorists exceeded the posted speed limit along Hostmark Street, according to the mayor’s office.

“Because of the large number of children served by the three schools along Hostmark Street, it is important to ensure drivers travel the posted speed limit and watch for children walking and bicycling to school,” the mayor’s office reported in a news release.

“Now that the sidewalk and bicycle lane improvements are complete, the Poulsbo Police Department is commencing emphasis patrols in the coming weeks. This is timed in conjunction with the arrival of spring weather, when more children will likely be walking and bicycling to school.”

Expect to see officers enforcing speed limits during peak school hours.