Crackdown on Jaywalkers : Ticketing Downtown Is Effort to ‘Restore Order’

Police began a crackdown on jaywalking in downtown San Diego Tuesday, issuing an estimated 100 tickets to law-breaking pedestrians.

The effort comes in response to increased foot traffic around Horton Plaza, according to police spokesman Bill Robinson. He said that pedestrians who fail to obey “Don’t Walk” signals and red lights cause vehicles to back up, leading to “gridlock” during peak commuter and lunchtime hours.

“Many pedestrians feel that walking against the ‘No Walk’ sign is insignificant, but the consequences are significant,” Robinson said. “Not only does the failure to obey controls create problems with traffic flow, it is hazardous to one’s health.”

More than a dozen police traffic units were assigned to downtown Tuesday to write jaywalking citations. As part of the crackdown, motorcycle units were added to the traffic and patrol officers who normally cover downtown streets, Robinson said.

The aim of the crackdown is to “restore order” to downtown traffic flow and reduce the number of accidents involving pedestrians, Robinson added.

The estimated 100 citations issued Tuesday represent a substantial increase over the average of seven daily for the entire city in 1983. That year San Diego ranked third behind Los Angeles and Detroit in the number of jaywalking tickets issued in the nation’s 15 largest cities. Robinson said some of the more than 100 citations issued Tuesday were given to motorists, not jaywalkers, and added that officers will continue to cite drivers who violate traffic laws.

The Tuesday effort represents a significant change in priority for San Diego police, who had not selectively enforced jaywalking laws.

Sgt. Richard Hoot of the department’s 180-officer traffic division told The Times last year: “Our officers don’t go out specifically looking for jaywalkers, but neither do our officers turn the other way when they see a pedestrian violating the law even if there is no traffic. Considering the number of pedestrian fatalities, a person is lucky if he does get a jaywalking ticket. It makes him think next time he steps off the curb.”

For those who want to avoid the police crackdown on jaywalkers, Robinson offered the following tips:

- Do not leave a curb when a “Don’t Walk” sign is flashing.

- If caught in the middle of the street when the “Don’t Walk” sign begins flashing, continue to cross the street.

- Crossing the street between intersections equipped with signal controls is considered jaywalking.

- Joggers and bicyclists also are required to obey jaywalking laws.