Police crack-down on jaywalkers

As university parking attendants step up citations around campus parking lots

By REUBEN CONTRERAS

While the university’s Office of Parking and Transportation is looking for parking violators, the Fresno Police Department wants jaywalkers to beware.

Fresno police say they’re cracking down on pedestrians caught jaywalking, for their own good.The crackdown is part of a monthlong operation.

For the past two weeks, Fresno police have cited people illegally crossing streets.

Fresno police said eight pedestrians died in Fresno last year. Of those, seven of the incidents were the fault of the pedestrians.

Captain Andy Hall said people are in a hurry and focused on where they need to be and what they need to do and not necessarily on their safety.

“Pedestrians need to concentrate on their surroundings for their own safety,” he said.

Hall said pedestrians cross streets illegally too often.

“There are no warnings. We issue tickets ranging from $200 to $350 per violation,” he said.

Fresno police offer these reminders to pedestrians.

•You can only cross the street when the signal indicates it is safe.

•If you are on a bike, you should get off and walk.

•If you are in the middle of the street when the signal changes to the flashing hand, stay on the center island, where it is safe.

Hall said 70 officers are looking for pedestrians crossing illegally every day in Fresno from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sociology major Kellie Foster, who was cited last year for jaywalking, said the police actions were unnecessary. Foster, who was given a fine of $126, said the police should warn students before citing them.

“I’m a little agitated,” Foster said. “What college student has $126 to pay for a citation for walking across the street?”

But while Fresno police target jaywalkers, parking attendants on campus target students without parking permits.

Parking administrator Gary Beddingfield said the past four years have seen an average of between 25,000 and 30,000 citations issued. Last school year, 25,808 citations were issued. This school year, 14,000 citations have been issued, as of March 1.

Students who do not have a green or daily permit to park in a student-designated lot face a fine of $25.

Beddingfield said, for the past few years, the first and last month of each semester hasveyielded the most parking citations.

“At the beginning of the semester, new students are confused about where they can and cannot park,” he said. “On the first day of class, some students don’t even know that they need a permit.

“Then at the end of the semester, some students who have not attended class regularly are coming back to prepare for finals,” he said.

Beddingfield said those students might have forgotten they need a permit to park, lost one they had, or parked in a lot not designated for students.

Students parking without a permit aren’t the only problem. Beddingfield said there have been students who have used a fake, expired or a stolen permit.

The fine for using a lost or stolen permit is $175.

When students are issued a citation, they have 30 days to pay it. A citation is placed on the windshield of their car and a citation is sent out by mail 21 days after the citation was issued, Beddingfield said.

Beddingfield said if the fine is not paid within 30 days, the fine will increase another $25.

If a citation is not paid, a hold will be placed on the student’s university records and on his or her vehicle registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles, Beddingfield said.

Beddingfield said the hold would not be lifted until the citation is paid in full.

Beddingfield said there have been a few students this year who have not paid their citation after the 30 days, and if they continue to park on campus, they’re subject to further penalties.

“Those violators could have an orange boot locked on their car,” he said. “It will not be removed until the fine is paid. If not, their car could be towed.”

Beddingfield said students have the option to appeal within 30 days.

Appeals are done in writing. Students may pick up appeal forms at the Office of Parking and Transportation on Barstow Avenue or online at www.csufresno.edu/parking.

Beddingfield said about 20 percent of citations are brought up for appeal. Of that 20 percent, only 5 percent are actually overturned.

Beddingfield said citations are not only issued to students. Staff and visitors are also cited in their designated lots if they’re violating any parking policy.

All the money from citations, permits sales, parking meters and daily permit dispensers goes to the Office of Parking and Transportation. The money pays for staff and administration salaries, equipment, material, supplies and construction projects.