Careless motorists racked up fines and lectures in the past month as area cops went undercover to enforce crosswalk laws.
And while the state's Division of Highway Traffic Safety initiative ended on Monday, some area police departments that participated say they will continue visiting the crosswalks in the future.
"We are going to continue our efforts," said Capt. Richard Sarlow of the Collingswood Police Department.
"We will be putting out additional patrols. We have been enlightened to a big problem and we plan on taking it very seriously here," Sarlow said.
In all, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Pennsauken, Burlington City and Rowan University police handed out 728 tickets for failing to yield to a pedestrian, talking on a cell phone or not wearing a seatbelt.
Police gave warnings to another 1,222 drivers during the initiative from Aug. 13 to Sept. 13. The five tri-county departments were joined by 12 other agencies in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties to participate in the federally funded enforcement effort.
Cherry Hill police handed out 240 citations and warned 74 other drivers in six enforcement operations, Lt. Bill Kushina said.
Kushina said the stings generated a lot of controversy but that the department would likely continue the operations in the future.
During the initiative, officers in plain clothes walked crosswalks to see if motorists followed state law and yielded. Motorists who don't yield are faced with a $100 fine, plus court costs and fees and two points on their driving record.
Collingswood police issued 165 summons and 74 warnings in four operations, Sarlow said.
Sarlow also said police came upon a lot of unhappy motorists but added the enforcement is necessary.
"When you actually sit at an intersection and do this you see what kind of problems there are out there in a particular area," he said. "We're not happy about giving summons out but when you have people that totally ignore pedestrians in a crosswalk that's a problem."
In four days, Pennsauken police issued 907 warnings and about 70 summons, said Sgt. Chris Sulzbach.
Sulzbach said police targeted North Park Drive along the Cooper River during both the morning and evening rush hours.
"The pedestrians themselves were very thankful," he said. "It should be done (again) from time to time."
In Burlington City police issued 187 citations during three days, said Chief John Lazzarotti Jr. Lazzarotti said the department would likely do the increased enforcement again if additional grant funding is made available.
Rowan University Police targeted motorists around campus on Route 322. Police issued 66 summons and 161 warnings, said Senior Director of Public Safety Reed Layton.
Layton said he believes motorists have taken the hint and became more aware of pedestrians.
"I noticed a big difference," he said.
Reach George Mast at (856) 486-2465 at gmast@camden.gannett.com
Julia Hays 12:56 pm on September 28, 2009 Permalink |
The new party room is also where the Pop Shop is hosting its cooking classes, and the room can be reserved for private party cooking classes as well.