Police make 88 stops during “crosswalk sting”

Logan City police officers in plain clothes, crossing 400 N. 400 E. during Crosswalk Sting (April 2, 2019).

LOGAN — Watch out for pedestrians. That was the message from the Logan City Police Department Tuesday afternoon, during a “crosswalk sting” at 400 North 400 East.

The operation involved two plain clothed officers that took turns crossing 400 North in the crosswalk. As they crossed the street, nearby officers monitored traffic flow, looking for vehicles that failed to stop for the pedestrians. Those that were witnessed failing to yield were pulled over and issued a warning or citation.

Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen said the results of the sting were sobering. During the five hours, officers conducted 88 stops. Several times there were more vehicles failing to yield than officers could pull over. One motorist also caused a three car accident after they failed to stop, rear-ending a vehicle and pushing it into another.

“So, obviously, we find ourselves with a problem and it exists throughout the entire city,” explained Jensen. “There are intersections and roadways that are more difficult than others as it relates to safety for individuals. 400 East 400 North is not only a wide road but it is a high-speed road, so pedestrians are at a greater risk as it relates to what injury could happen if they were hit.”

In an effort to notify the public in advance, the department posted details of the sting operation three-weeks ago on its social media pages.

Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen speaking to a motorist who allegedly was caught during a Crosswalk Sting (April 2, 2019).

Jensen said the sting was not about writing a lot of tickets but more about educating motorists. As temperatures warm up, officers are concerned that more people, especially children, will be outside.

“However, you’re watching this and saying to yourself, ‘that person earned a ticket, they are blowing right past a pedestrian at 40 mph.’ They deserve a ticket, they need to be given the notion that they can’t just do that.

“Safety is what it is. It is not about revenues, but that’s really the only avenue that we have to entice people to do the right thing, by issuing a citation that has a fine attached.”

Utah law states motorists must yield to pedestrians crossing roadways within a crosswalk if the pedestrian is “on the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling” or “when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.”

Jensen said when it comes to cars versus people, the result is deadly. He hopes the message from Tuesday’s sting is to be more alert when you’re driving.

“You have to drive and be aware. You have to be defensive as a driver. Let yourself just pause for a moment in favor of the pedestrian. You are not in that big of a hurry, I don’t think. To put somebody else at risk like that is a bit silly no matter what you’re doing.”

The police department usually conducts these types of stings about two to three times a year.


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5 Comments

  • Richard Kirschman April 3, 2019 at 5:37 pm Reply

    This is a great sting. Drivers are stupid.

  • Warren s Pugh April 4, 2019 at 6:29 am Reply

    Resident on 1200 N on north side of street has a hoop with a car parked under it.
    A boy under ten shoots, ball bounces off car into the street 04/09.??

    Man and woman southbound on sidewalk, and on bicycles with children
    aboard, too, should know the danger. West bound drivers coming to intersection look left first in preparation for stop and start.

    Best for cyclists is to get off bikes before entering crossWALKS. Thanks gentlemen.

  • Harold S Wrungagan April 4, 2019 at 3:29 pm Reply

    Total crapshoot, put a light there if you want to make it safer, handing out 100 fines isn’t productive at all. The undercover wasn’t crossing the street, just standing in the gutter. Get your facts correct just one time Herald.

  • Lani Young. April 5, 2019 at 6:45 pm Reply

    I walk up and down 400n multiple times a day. I also watch people make illegal turns to save three seconds everyday. There’s a high amount of pedestrian traffic in Logan and drivers need to stop trying to hit us. Keep doing these ‘stings’. I shouldn’t have to be nervous when I’m crossing the road with the light.

  • Z April 7, 2019 at 3:29 pm Reply

    That was a really really stupid idea to do it!! And of course it was going to cause accident. The reason is that road has 40mph limit. It is not easy but very dangerous to stop at such a speed. You need to set a traffic light at that intersection or reduce the speed limit to 25 or so to make it safer if there is an increase number of pedestrians at that spot. What make things worse, you guys chose a heavy raining day to do such “experiments”?! I really worried the life of those two warriors you guys put there crossed the street. Glad they survive!

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