The San Francisco Police Department has come up with a unique strategy to address the issue of drivers speeding past crosswalks. In a recent stunt, officers have been dressing up in inflatable chicken costumes to catch the attention of drivers and encourage them to yield to pedestrians.
During a recent exercise on Alemany Boulevard near Rousseau Street, police Lt. Jonathan Ozol was seen crossing the street in the bright chicken costume. Despite the eye-catching outfit, some drivers still failed to yield to him, prompting concerns for his safety.
Each exercise, which has been conducted five times over the last six months, has resulted in approximately 30 to 40 citations being issued to drivers who failed to yield. The fines for these violations can amount to up to $400.
While the high number of citations is disappointing, officers like Ozol are hopeful that the visibility of the chicken costumes is making a difference. The humorous approach has even led to the installation of a 'chicken crossing' sign near one of the intersections where the exercises took place.
Despite the initial skepticism, Ozol noted that drivers seem to be becoming more aware as the exercises continue. The department has observed an increase in driver attentiveness, especially when they encounter the officers in their unconventional costumes.
Amidst rising crime rates in San Francisco, the Police Department's efforts to improve pedestrian safety are a positive development. While crime data from the department indicates a decrease in overall crime rates compared to the previous year, initiatives like the chicken costume stunts demonstrate a creative approach to addressing public safety concerns.
