Only Good Drivers Get This Ticket

Steve Jackson felt that knot in his stomach Wednesday when he saw those red lights flashing in his rear-view mirror.

But instead of giving him a ticket, the motorcycle officer did the unthinkable: congratulated Jackson on his good driving. As Jackson recovered from the shock, the officer handed him a $20 gift certificate from Ralphs Market.

“I’m stoked,” the 49-year-old Jackson said. “I thought I was going to get a ticket. I probably should donate it to the church.”

Jackson, from Hacienda Heights, was one of 50 people who drove through the unlighted intersection at 10th Street and Beach Boulevard in Buena Park between noon and 4 p.m. Wednesday and learned that, this time, being pulled over by an officer had its advantages.

For some people, that is. Another 41 had the usual experience of being pulled over to be cited and fined, the result of an unusual sting by Buena Park police to ensure that motorists stop for pedestrians at the intersection in front of the Civic Center.

“We’ve had a lot of complaints from people trying to cross the street,” said Sgt. Gary Jackson, no relation to Steve, who helped organize the sting. “Hopefully, this will educate people about their need to stop.”

The key player in this plan was Det. Dave Hankins, an undercover officer who ordinarily arrests drug dealers but who spent four hours bravely walking back and forth in the crosswalk, wearing shorts past his knees, a baseball cap and a T-shirt of the rock group KISS. Those who drove through the intersection as he was crossing were pulled over by one of six motorcycle officers tucked out of sight on a side street. Those who stopped were pulled over and given gift certificates.

“One guy slid to a halt and almost hit me,” said Hankins, 31. “Everyone says I’m going to need my insurance policy today. I could have been hit easily if I wasn’t paying attention.”