On the street, stop for the feet: North Branch starts crosswalk campaign

Posted 5/2/01

On the street, stop for the feet: North Branch starts crosswalk campaign

The North Branch Police Department was recently awarded grant funds to help initiate a crosswalk safety campaign.

The $2,000 grant, administered by the Minnesota Safety Council, will be used to increase public awareness that motorists are required by law to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
ìThere is a definite need for crosswalk safety in the North Branch area,î said Police Chief Jules Zimmer.

To accomplish the campaign, the North Branch Police Department will team up with Triad and the North Branch School District.

Triad is a group of area seniors citizens, the Chisago County Sheriffís Department and the North Branch Police Department.

The group meets monthly to discuss issues of concern for seniors. Crosswalk safety is one of the concerns frequently mentioned.

State Hwy. 95 bisects the city creating four crosswalk areas that have proven particularly hazardous to seniors and school children. These intersections are 10th, 7th, 4th and 3rd avenues.
These areas will be monitored and policed in order to obtain compliance.

The campaign will consist of a four-part action plan. The plan includes Triad members monitoring and tabulating violations at the four problem crosswalks, a media blitz explaining the law and asking for cooperation, police enforcement of the law at the four areas and another round of monitoring and tabulating violations to determine the effectiveness of the public awareness campaign.
When the campaign has concluded, an evaluation report will be compiled consisting of the following information: results from Triad of crosswalk violations at the four crosswalks before and after the ad campaign; copies of the advertisements, press releases and editorials; number of citations issued during the week of enforcement; comments from Main Street School staff, students and parents.

ìOur goal is to make our pedestrians safe and to educate the public regarding the laws,î Zimmer concluded. ìThe intent is to have everyone on the same page.î