1 arrested, 17 cited in crackdown on pedestrian problem spots

Laguna Beach police made one arrest and issued 17 citations during an effort Wednesday to focus on areas of the city where pedestrians and cyclists have been injured or killed in the last five years.

Officers monitored various locations at different times between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. and noted incidents of failure to yield to pedestrians, speeding and failing to stop at stop signs, Lt. Jeff Calvert wrote in an email.

The arrest was for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Noting that the event was the fourth since December, Calvert said, “The officers gave out more warning and courtesy notices than the previous three operations.”

Laguna has seen three fatal and 65 injury collisions involving pedestrians in the last three years. California led the nation with 612 pedestrian deaths in 2012, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department, citing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But the purpose of the special monitoring is not simply to crack down on drivers in the city. Police also watch for pedestrians committing violations such as crossing the street illegally and failing to yield to drivers who have the right of way.

On Wednesday, citations were given to 10 motorists and seven pedestrians, Calvert wrote.

Funding for the enforcement program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce