DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) – Brown County Law Enforcement spent Tuesday afternoon patrolling how vehicles respond to pedestrians in crosswalks with an operation known as “Frogger”.
Law enforcement officers and volunteer pedestrians were stationed at various locations in Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Denmark, DePere, Green Bay, Howard, and Suamico.
The drill looks much like the old videogame “Frogger” as volunteers are sent back and forth across a crosswalk while police watch to see if vehicles properly yield.
“They are rolling right by them which is a safety concern,” said Jedd Bradley of the De Pere Police Department. He made his comments just as someone failed to yield at the crosswalk and was noticed by one of the officers.
He says some simply ignore the rules, while others may not fully know them.
“Once that person’s foot is in the roadway, they are obligated to yield to that pedestrian.”
For some, it can be an expensive lesson to learn.
“There are citations sometimes being issued and the citations are $250 dollars and four points.”
In most cases, officers will warn the drivers and explain the rules rather than issue the citation. Bradley says that is the purpose of the task force.
In the efforts across Brown County, Wello of Green Bay is partnering with law enforcement.
Mario Gonzalez, Communications Manager of Wello says their mission is to foster health and well being, and this goes hand in hand.
“People are not going to be active if they don’t feel safe, so events like this really reinforce to everyone what their role is so that we can create that safe community so that we can be active.”
Gonzalez says this year, officers were once again kept busy.
“I guess it never really surprises me to see how quickly the officers come back from making a stop before they are off again, he said.
The activity did not come without warning. Wello posted all of the locations where enforcement would take place and warning signs were placed at both ends of the crosswalk to alert drivers before they approach the crosswalk.
“Sometimes it is just people think it does not apply to me and I am not going to stop for this person right now.”
In other cases, Bradley says some drivers just don’t know what to do, and that is where officers were taking time to explain the rules.
“We are not looking to write citations, but it is an option that officers have if they choose to use it.”
Some of the pedestrians who use the crosswalk in De Pere said they noticed the difference Tuesday.
“This never happens,” said one woman who was attempting to get through the crosswalk on her bike.
“That’s a first,” one man said as he was walking as cars came to a complete stop to let him cross.”
In two hours at two locations in De Pere, 54 stops were made with 7 of the stops resulting in crosswalk citations. During the process, Officers also issued four seatbelt citations and one citation for a driver operating without a valid license.
This is the first of three regional educational crosswalk enforcement events that will take placethis year.
Rules for Drivers
1. Yield to Pedestrians at Intersections and Crosswalks
2. Eliminate Distractions so you can focus on your surroundings.
3. Reduce speeds in neighborhoods and school zones.
4. Scan ahead when approaching a crosswalk
5. Don’t attempt to pass a vehicle that is yielding at a crosswalk.
Rules for Pedestrians
1. Cross only at crosswalks or street corners.
2. Don’t cross while using electronic devices.
3. Look left, right and left again before crossing.
4. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing to tell them that you are attempting to cross.
