Newton Police to Conduct Crosswalk Stings

With Newton tallying 46 pedestrian-related traffic incidents last year, local police are working hard to keep those in the crosswalks and on the sidewalks as safe as possible. 

Over the course of next week, will be conducting crosswalk stings throughout the city in hopes of educating the driving public on the imprtance of staying alert and aware of pedestrians. 

According to Captain Howard Mintz, commander of Newton Police's traffic bureau, the stings will involve plainclothes officers walking into crosswalks to see if passing traffic stops. If a car does not allow the officer to pass, the driver could receive a complaint or warning from the police department, Mintz said.

"There is a lot of interest and concern about pedestrian safety (in the city)," Mintz said, noting that at least two pedestrian-related accidents that have happened in the last year involved a pedestrian who was in a crosswalk.

Mintz said the bureau does not release where the stings will be set up, but that they will occur on both the north and south side of the city. 

In the past, Mintz said there has been grant money to handle these types of stings, however, the department will be using on-duty police officers this time around. If an emergency comes up or there is bad weather, the officers will simply postpone the stings.