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, December 11, 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 Eucalyptus Ave. and Running Deer Rd. This intersection is utilized for students walking to and from schools in the area.

The California Vehicle Code requires motorists to yield to all pedestrians walking anywhere in a crosswalk. Today during our decoy program, only 3 motorists received citations for “failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk”. This is proof that our past enforcement operations have been effective in educating the public about pedestrian safety.

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 as a large “Traffic Cone.” Even so, many motorists who were stopped today said they never saw the “Traffic Cone” 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.

###