Street Crossing Task Force to Ticket Violators

Sheriff’s deputies this week launched a task force targeting drivers who fail to give pedestrians the right of way and pedestrians who illegally cross the street.

Capt. Richard Odenthal said his personnel had spent the last 18 months “talking to people” about traffic laws, “but we didn’t get very far with voluntary compliance. A lot of people just don’t pay attention.”

So his office put together a 14-member task force, including five motorcycle officers, five bicycle patrol officers and four deputies in civilian clothes.

For eight hours, he said, “The decoys attempt to cross the street legally, which produces violations on the part of drivers,” who are ticketed by waiting motorcycle officers.

Pedestrians who cross the street illegally are cited by bicycle patrolmen.