More than 500 contacts made by officers
The Salt Lake City Police Department’s
Downtown Bike Squads have made contact with more than 500 people during this
week’s Operation “Friendly Reminder,” which sought to raise public safety
awareness in the Central Business District.
While such encounters usually result in an
expensive citation, police officers have been issuing warnings to pedestrians
and motorists for infractions such as jaywalking, violating the crosswalk
ordinance, smoking in violation
of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act, riding a bike or skateboard on the sidewalk,
or littering.
“This proved to be a great opportunity for our
officers to positively interact with people downtown,” said Chief Chris
Burbank. “The rules and laws are there to keep everyone safe — from those of us
walking on Main Street for a lunch appointment to motorists looking for a
parking spot, from bike messengers to Trax riders.”
Approximately
25 officers were involved in the week-long operation. While they issued more
than 500 warnings during outreach, they also made 20 felony drug arrests in the
area earlier this week.
Contact: Reporters seeking comment should contact the Public
Information Officer at 801.799.NEWS (6397).
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