20 SMC Police Officers To Fan Out In Special 'STEP' Operation

BURLINGAME, CA — Law enforcement officers from various agencies on the Peninsula will fan out on Wednesday in a special traffic enforcement operation, Burlingame police announced Tuesday. The operation will be the eleventh deployment of the San Mateo County Saturation Traffic Enforcement Program, or STEP, in 2017.

Wednesday's operation will happen in Colma and Daly City beginning at 8 a.m., according to Burlingame Police Corporal Jason Orloff. It will last until 4 p.m. with approximately 20 officers taking part.

"The San Mateo County Police Chiefs and Sheriff Association are working together to collectively focus on reducing the number of injuries and traffic accidents throughout San Mateo County," Orloff said in a news release. "Colma and Daly City residents may notice that there are police officers from throughout San Mateo County enforcing vehicle code violations."

Orloff said the The STEP program is held to increase traffic safety and awareness in known trouble spots throughout San Mateo County. He offered the following safety tips:

Drivers can:

• Look out for pedestrians, especially in hard-to-see conditions such as at night or in bad weather.
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk where pedestrians are likely to be.
• Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to the pedestrians too.
• Be cautious when backing up – pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path.

Pedestrians can:

• Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road, cross at crosswalks or intersections, and obey signs and signals.
• Walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible if there is no sidewalk.
• Pay attention to the traffic moving around you. This is not the time to be texting or talking on a cell phone.
• Make eye contact with drivers as they approach. Never assume a driver sees you.
• Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials (or use a flashlight) at night.
• Look left-right-left before crossing a street.

Agencies Participating in San Mateo County S.T.E.P. include:

Atherton PD, Belmont PD, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Colma PD, Brisbane PD, Burlingame PD, Daly City PD, East Palo Alto PD, Foster City PD, Hillsborough PD, Menlo Park PD, Pacifica PD, Redwood City PD, San Bruno PD, San Mateo PD, South San Francisco PD, and San Mateo County Public Safety Communications.

Image via Shutterstock