Why did the police of this city dress up as chickens

In an amusingly captivating attempt to advance pedestrian protection, a San Francisco police officer recently dressed in a striking, flashy, and blown-up chicken costume at the time monitoring a high-traffic crosswalk. Lt. Jonathan Ozol put on extravagant attire on Alemany Boulevard to bring to the attention the number of drivers failing to give way to foot traffic, regardless of being as obvious and noticeable as a massive chicken.
“I don’t want them to get run over”, Capt.Amy Hurwitz mentioned to SF Gate. She said, “But the costume is so bright, it’s like, how can you miss it?”
This one-of-a-kind pedestrian safety initiative is a crucial part of the city’s ‘Vision Zero’ plan, directed towards eradicating traffic-related fatalities. In six months, the law enforcement department has carried out five similar executions, each showcasing officials in unique and flashy costumes including Big Bird and a unicorn- - intending to command attention to crosswalk safety regulations.
At the time of the most recent operation, Ozol ensured to offer drivers a minimum of 200 feet of warning before coming in on the crosswalk, complying with state law that obliges vehicles to pause for pedestrians. Despite this definitive signal, numerous drivers still raced past him, with some emerging dangerously close. For every driver who refused to give way, Ozol alerted closeby officers to impose fines, amounting to $400.
“If you don’t see someone in a giant chicken costume, then we really have a problem”, Ozol stated.
While the officers lost track of the drivers who overlooked the need to stop, reports reveal that eight were issued a ticket within the first 30 minutes. Prior executions have brought about an astonishing number of 30 to 40 citation notices each, highlighting the long-standing issue of drivers’ absence of attention.
Hurwitz regards the belief that out-of-the-ordinary approaches and unconventional strategies are starting to encourage better driving practices. “Drivers seem more aware, more cognizant. Certainly when they see the chicken”, she mentioned, also indicating that the operation has been seizing attention in police newsletters. Remarkably, post the earlier executions, a playful ‘chicken crossing’ sign was also positioned close to the observed area.
The chicken costume project is beyond just laughter; it holds a substantial meaning. The operation comes in the wake of tragic incidents, including a fatality relating to a pedestrian at the same crosswalk in the earlier months of this year. Ozol pointed out that the aim is not focused on financial gain from tickets and penalties, but to strengthen safety for every person on the roadway.
“One more person that yields, that’s one more person that’s safe”, Ozol concluded, emphasizing the immense importance of these innovative enforcement measures in raising awareness for traffic safety.