The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Deputy Beard playing pedestrian.

Sisters drivers have an increased awareness about pedestrian-related traffic laws.

From 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 23, Sheriff's Deputy Scott Beard strolled back and forth across Highway 20, using the crosswalk in front of The Pump House. Casually attired with cup of coffee in hand, he played the part of the typical Sisters pedestrian.

"I've been yelled at, flipped off, and cussed at," grinned Deputy Beard after a successful crossing.

"And I've had to jump out of the way a few times to avoid being hit."

Deputy Ron Dozier radioed patrol cars stationed at each end of town to inform them of infractions. Within the first half-hour of the project, 9 tickets had been issued.

"We picked the biggest guy we could find so no one would miss him," said Deputy Dozier, who oversees the Pedestrian Safety Program.

"We recently did this in La Pine," said Dozier, "and gave out 68 citations. We've also run the program in Terrebonne and Bend. This is the second time we've done it in Sisters."

Over 640 pedestrians were injured and 47 died in motor vehicle collisions in Oregon in 1999.

"Most people are really positive about the program," Dozier said, "but others think it's a trap. But we aren't trying to hide anything--there are signs posted at both ends of town, with cones marking off the crosswalk area. The speed limit through town is 20 mph, but we've set it up as if vehicles were going 30, giving them 131 feet for stopping distance."

Tony Foster, a resident of Camp Sherman, gave a thumbs-up to the program.

"I teach school in Camp Sherman," Foster said. "I think it's very important that people get reminded that pedestrians have the right-of-way. Especially children."

Deputy Crosswhite, who patrolled the west side of the crosswalk, received more negative feedback from the folks he ticketed.

"People are a little unhappy," he admitted. "So far, they've all denied doing anything illegal."

However, he felt the exercise in pedestrian safety had an overall positive effect on the community.

"There is a lot of pedestrian traffic in Sisters," Crosswhite said. "I think that people driving through town today and just seeing the police presence will be more aware of pedestrian safety."

Deputies ended up giving out 28 citations and 16 warnings, and impounded one car because the driver's license had been suspended.

One driver felt he'd been unfairly cited and went down to the Sheriff's office and watched the video tape.

"The guy protested because the pedestrian had just stepped off the sidewalk into the crosswalk," said Dozier. "But once he's entered the crosswalk, the pedestrian has the right-of-way. That's not just Oregon law, that's national law."