Crime & Safety
Cops Keep Watch at Pedestrian Crossings
Plainclothes officers deployed, summonses issued
The Wyckoff Police Department has been using officers in plainclothes for Operation Safe Crossing, an initiative where an officer posing as a pedestrian crosses a pedestrian crosswalk in an effort to enforce pedestrian laws.
Chief Benjamin C. Fox said the operation employs an officer walking back and forth across the street at various locations. When a motorist fails to yield to the officer, he radios a waiting patrol car hidden nearby, which stops the motorist and issues a summons.
Pedestrian crossing violations carry a penalty of $130 with two points assessed to your driver's license. Fox said numerous summonses have been issued.
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"These type of enforcement programs are necessary and are in response to the many citizens who have expressed their concerns to us that drivers fail to yield to pedestrians crossing the street," Fox said. "The pedestrian laws are there for the safety of everyone walking our streets. We will continue this program in an effort to change driver behavior and make our roadways as safe as possible," the chief said.
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