LAKEPORT – In an effort to increase pedestrian safety, the Lakeport Police Department recently conducted a crosswalk safety enforcement, and a department official said another one is planned this coming weekend.

The department recently received a number of citizen concerns regarding pedestrian safety on 11th St., particularly in the area of the Willow Tree Plaza, according to a report from Lt. Brad Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said the concerns reported to police related to vehicles traveling at speeds unsafe for conditions and drivers failing to stop for pedestrians within crosswalks.

On Sept. 19 Lakeport Police conducted a pedestrian crosswalk safety enforcement operation, using a police employee as a pedestrian, Rasmussen said.

During the course of the three-hour operation, officers stopped 12 vehicles and issued seven citations to drivers who failed to yield to pedestrians, according to Rasmussen.

Sometime over the next three days, the department will again conduct a crosswalk safety enforcement operation somewhere in Lakeport, Rasmussen said.

Over the past two years the Lakeport Police Department, the city of Lakeport and the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee have worked to increase pedestrian safety, reduce accidents and educate drivers. Rasmussen said those efforts have included conducting pedestrian safety enforcement operations and installing pedestrian safety signs in other areas of the city.

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