Jaywalkers Beware: Fort Lee Police Are Cracking Down

Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas O. Ripoli held a press conference Thursday morning to urge drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant and follow traffic laws or face fines, according to multiple reports.

The event Thursday came in the wake of , and after Ripoli repeatedly called on pedestrians and drivers to use caution.

“We felt we should assist [pedestrians] in helping them keep themselves safe,” Ripoli said Thursday.

According to reports, have been ticketing jaywalkers, the fine for which is $85, after giving out pamphlets with safety tips for the past couple of weeks.

Ripoli recently told Patch police were “working on [the problem] very heavily” after a 64-year-old Fairview man suffered a broken ankle when he was hit by a car at the intersection of Anderson Avenue and Plateau Avenue—the third time such an incident had occurred in a two-week period and the fifth time in Fort Lee since February.

“We’re getting the word out; we’re giving summonses to pedestrians; we’re giving summonses to drivers; we’re giving out warnings—the whole bit,” Ripoli said at the time. “It’s just that people have to be aware. Drivers have to be aware. Pedestrians have to be aware. Speed has to slow down.”

On Thursday, Ripoli said that drivers are not always at fault when it comes to vehicle-pedestrian accidents, NorthJersey.com reported.

“Pedestrians are not always aware; they’re not watching where they are walking,” he said.

In March, Ripoli  in hopes of reducing the number of accidents, saying, “Simple practices adopted by those on foot can significantly decrease the chance of being involved in an accident.”