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# 13 Cops issue 192 tickets
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/13-cops-issue-192-tickets/
- Published: 2008-06-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:00:18.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: Crime, Santa Monica, #archive-import

and 21951 of the state’s vehicle code. The first section covers drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. The section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

The second section covers those who drive around or overtake a vehicle that is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the street.

A driver can be cited for both sections if they fail to observe the law. Fines for violating each section start at $123, and that does not include additional court costs.

The rules for the sting were simple. Decoys were instructed to not walk into the roadway in front of oncoming traffic and to check in both directions before crossing the street. While crossing, they had to keep their eyes directed toward oncoming traffic. After making it across safely, they were ordered to wait and make sure that officers were ready to pull over violators — no sense in crossing if there are no officers to educate drivers and write citations.

Officers were instructed to pull over only those drivers who were blatantly breaking the law, and to be courteous and professional, explaining to drivers that the objective of the sting is not to write tickets but to educate and save lives.

“We are not out here to smack everyone hard,” Horn said.“It’s about getting the message across. It’s about education. That is the most important part.”

Locations were chosen based on a variety of factors:Citizen complaints,the number of accidents or citations associated with that intersection,and the proximity of each location to hospitals,parks,schools and assisted living facilities — places that attract a lot of pedestrians.

For the decoys, the experience was somewhat nerve-wracking, especially at Fourth Street and San Vicente where cars have been clocked traveling at freeway speeds.

Bill Bauer, a SMPD volunteer and columnist for the Daily Press, had several close calls, including one incident in which the driver of an SUV slammed on his breaks and stopped in the middle of the crosswalk, just a few feet from him.

“I tend to be really careful crossing anyway,” Bauer said. “If there’s any sign of traffic, I’d rather just wait. The idea is not to trap someone. You just cross as you normally do, but even then, some people just don’t see or just don’t care.”

Suzy Kim, a non-sworn officer with the SMPD who works in community relations, also acted as a decoy, strolling back and forth across San Vicente.

“It can be a little scary sometimes,” she said.“My mom made me promise to call her when I’m finished.”

Residents seemed to appreciate the effort, offering their own thoughts on how dangerous certain intersections can be. One elderly man thank the officers for their work while another wanted to voice his strong support for the installation of more traffic lights or blinking yellows to alert drivers.

“It’s really about changing the culture,” said a man who declined to give his name, calling himself Mr. Pedestrian. “I grew up in the east coast and over there you are trained to look 40 times before stepping out in the street. Here people just step out thinking people are going to stop, and they aren’t.”

People who were cited ranged from soccer moms and corporate executives to a judge pro tem, some driving new luxury cars while others beat-up pickups. The excuses they gave also varied, with some saying they were unfamiliar with the law while others were adamant that they had done nothing wrong. Most admitted to their negligent driving.

“One lady \[who was issued a ticket\] said she’s glad we’re out here,” said SMPD Sgt. Henry Ramirez.“She knows there are a lot of pedestrians out here.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 28, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/062808.pdf?ref=smdp.com)