Archived News Release  

Moreno Valley Police Department Enhances Public Safety with the Pedestrian Decoy Program

The Moreno Valley Traffic Team conducted a Pedestrian Decoy Program this morning, July 24, in response to complaints from the public and local crossing guards. The Police Department has received numerous complaints regarding motorists failing to stop for pedestrians in various crosswalks and intersections throughout the City. Today's Pedestrian Decoy operation was conducted at the intersection of John F. Kennedy Dr. x La Brisis Way.

The California Vehicle Code requires motorists to yield to all pedestrians walking anywhere in a crosswalk. Today during our decoy program, five motorists received citations for "failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk" and one vehicle was impounded when the driver was found to be driving while unlicensed.

The Police Department's goal is to increase motorists' driving vigilance, especially near schools and crosswalks. The Pedestrian Decoy Program is just one aspect of the Police Department's ongoing Directed Enforcement Program, which utilizes an undercover police officer walking in the crosswalk. In previous Decoy operations, many of the cited motorists indicated that they never saw the pedestrian in the crosswalk. In an effort to make our pedestrian more visible, he was dressed today in a large "Gingerbread Man" outfit. Even so, many motorists who were stopped today said they never saw the "Gingerbread Man" in the crosswalk.

This program is scheduled to repeat throughout the year at various locations throughout the city. For additional information, the Moreno Valley Police Department Traffic Division may be reached at (951) 486-6900.

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