We are only in it for the money Original Article Aug 8, 3:10 AM EDT Police beef up patrols in school zones PHOENIX (AP) -- With thousands of students returning to the classroom this month, police agencies across metropolitan Phoenix are stepping up patrols aimed at drivers who speed in school zones. In Phoenix, about 150 motorcycle officers will patrol school zones surrounding nearly 2,000 schools. Officials from police and fire departments in metro Phoenix taught about 150 crossing guards on Friday how to keep kids safe and how to watch for speeding vehicles. In the past two weeks, about 350 crossing guards have received training. In Chandler, where students returned to class July 26, Officer John Somerville said 85 to 90 percent of the speeding tickets he writes in school zones are to faculty, staff or parents. Peoria police say as many as 20 officers may be assigned Monday for the start of a two-week morning and afternoon school-zone enforcement effort. In Scottsdale, crime prevention officers in each of the city's three police districts have emphasized the importance of driving carefully in school zones and slowing at school crosswalks. Failing to stop for a pedestrian or speeding in a school zone will cost a motorist $127 and two points on his or her license. Drivers could be eligible for a one-time defensive-driving course.