Sheriff Launches Initiative To Reduce Pedestrian, Bicycle Deaths

TAMPA, FL -- Following the death of a teen who was struck by a car driven by an undercover deputy Jan. 11, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is launching a pedestrian safety initiative in the University Area with the help of a $120,000 grant.

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 12, Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies will dedicate three days each week through May to raise awareness among pedestrians and bicyclists in the University Area about safely navigating roads.

Deputies will man busy intersections known for pedestrian- and bicycle-related accidents and hand out bicycle lights and information with safety tips.

"We are targeting the most dangerous areas of Hillsborough County for pedestrians and actively working to make them safer," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The best way to fix this problem of pedestrian accidents is through education and putting more deputies out there on the streets to teach people how to avoid these highly preventable accidents."

With Florida ranked as the most dangerous state for pedestrians in a 2019 report, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is working to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe.

In its 2019 "Dangerous by Design" report, Smart Growth America ranked Florida as the most dangerous state for walking in the United States and Tampa as the ninth most dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians with 900 pedestrian deaths between 2008-2017.

The extent of the problem was highlighted on Jan. 11 when 15-year-old Josiah Pinner was killed after being struck by an undercover sheriff's deputy driving an unmarked car while crossing North Florida Avenue at East 124th Avenue in the University Area (see related story).

Image via Jay Pinner

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