Targeted Crosswalk Enforcement

We teach our children that it is safest to cross in the crosswalk, but what happens when drivers do not hold up their end of the bargain – especially in school zones?  Holding drivers responsible for their behavior by actively patrolling school zones is a priority for the Spokane Police Traffic Unit.

 
“Parents expect their kids to make it to school safely and then make it home again,” says Rick Dobrow, the unit’s Sergeant.  “It’s easy for most of us who work traffic to understand parents’ concerns since 99% of us have kids of our own.”

 
Dobrow believes that enforcement is a necessary element in changing driving behavior, reducing collision frequency, and providing a safe environment for children to walk to school.  “Without having some negative consequences people don’t pay attention and will forget they’re driving in a school zone.  They occasionally need a friendly reminder from their local law enforcement.”

 
Targeted Crosswalk Enforcement, a kind of crosswalk sting operation, is one technique used by the unit to hold drivers responsible for their behavior towards pedestrians in and around school zones.  First, a crosswalk is chosen based on crash statistics or complaint frequency.  Next, a police officer dressed in civilian clothes and armed with a walkie-talkie repeatedly crosses the street.  If a driver does not stop for the pedestrian’s right-of-way, the pedestrian officer radios one of the motorcycle officers lying in wait.

 
“We’ll go out in force with six guys poised to chase violators in each direction,” says Dobrow.  “We frequently videotape these operations and it has been downright scary!  Cars often almost hit our pedestrian officers!”  In a mere 4 hours, Dobrow and his crew typically write more than 200 tickets.

 
His dedication to enforcing school zone speed limits and belief in partnering with the community to improve street safety for pedestrians led to his participation last year in a Safe Routes to School (SRtS) grant proposal.  Other members included Spokane County Regional Health and the Spokane County School District. 

They are still waiting to hear about the grant, but Dobrow is excited about the collaboration that went into the proposal.  The collaborative effort to apply for the grant will only benefit the already amicable relationship between the Spokane Police Department and the surrounding community.

                                                                                   
It’s important to Dobrow to be seen as a fair enforcer of the law.  “We’re not out there to pick on people.  We’re just doing our part to reduce injuries and fatalities while educating drivers.  There have to be consequences for poor driving.”

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