Police Will Adapt Tactics In Wake of Pedestrian Deaths

On June 19th, over twenty traffic officers from various law enforcement agencies throughout San Mateo County will participate in the San Mateo County Saturation Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.). This collaborative law enforcement deployment aims to increase traffic safety and awareness in known trouble spots throughout San Mateo County. In light of four recent traffic collisions that resulted in the death of pedestrians in Central San Mateo County alone, the June 19th effort will focus on pedestrian safety in Foster City, San Mateo, Hillsborough, and Burlingame. 

Within the last two months, four pedestrians have been killed in traffic collisions in Central San Mateo County (San Mateo, Foster City, and Burlingame). Consequently, STEP will be placing a heightened focus on pedestrian safety and awareness. The expectation is that this collaborative monthly detail will yield cities immediate and tangible solutions to traffic issues, and make San Mateo County safer for motorists and pedestrians. Officers will be taking enforcement action against observed violations with the intention of correcting unsafe behavior. The San Mateo Police Department has also begun conducting pedestrian safety seminars throughout their City, specifically addressing senior citizens and offering ways in which to avoid collisions with drivers whom fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians. 

Last month’s deployment in Pacifica, San Bruno, and South San Francisco consisted of twenty-one officers from numerous San Mateo County agencies, and resulted in over 200 citations for unsafe driving behavior. This emphasis on correcting unsafe driving habits will remain the goal throughout the June enforcement action in Foster City, San Mateo, Hillsborough, and Burlingame. 


Media Release prepared on behalf of the San Mateo County Chiefs and Sheriff Association by Sgt. Jay Kiely, Burlingame Police. Forwarded to the San Mateo Community by SMPD. 


Traffic and Parking Related Issues in San Mateo? 
Contact SMPD’s Traffic Bureau: 
SMPD Traffic Bureau (650) 522-7740 
SMPD Abandoned Vehicle Hotline (650) 522-7766

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