Crime & Safety

Howell Police Play Route 9 Decoys to Promote Pedestrian Safety

The department received a Safe Passage grant, allowing patrols to target drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians.

On most mornings Patrolman Michael Maccia of the Howell Police Department is out patrolling the streets, keeping the residents of the township safe. Recently, Maccia and a group of his fellow officers took some time to help ensure the safety of pedestrians crossing those same streets.

The local department received a grant as part of the statewide Safe Passage program. As part of the effort Maccia and other members of the detail took turns as a decoy pedestrian.

Those drivers who did not stop for the pedestrian or were spotted committing other violations were directed to other officers waiting for them down the road. Maccia said that while he was being careful crossing the highway it was still important to, “keep your head on a swivel.”

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Maccia also said that the reaction the officers got during the program was also largely positive. “We definitely get a lot of positive responses out here,” he said. “Not just from people being stopped but also pedestrians being able to cross safely.”

Sgt. Joseph Markulic of the department’s traffic safety division said the statewide effort is in response to an increase in pedestrians killed on the roads. Using what he called “100 percent enforcement,” and “strict enforcement,” Markulic said officers were also able to spot drivers committing other violations including usage of a cell phone, texting and not wearing a seatbelt.

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Having decoys like Maccia, he said, also helps them to get their message to the public. “With the plain clothed officers it gives us more undercover eyes,” he said. “if we walk across the street they’re going to stop and stay stopped It gives us the capability to see how they would react to a civilian.

Other towns taking part in the grant may have more of a “downtown,” feel, but Markulic said it is still an important lesson for Howell drivers. “In Howell Township we don’t have any true downtown areas, but we do have a lot of pedestrians killed on Route 9.

According to information provided by the officers to drivers violating the law about yielding to pedestrians can face penalties including 2 points on their license, a $200 fine plus court costs, 15 days of community service and insurance surcharges.  


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