Despite the flashing “do not walk” sign in the crosswalk linking the dormitories with other campus buildings, Amy Inman and three other Sacramento State students attempted to cross, and were issued citations the afternoon of Sept. 27.

Campus police are issuing citations to jaywalkers at Sac State. Approximately 50 to 75 stops have been made since July 1, and almost half of the stops resulted in actual citations, according to John Hamrick, investigator of Public Safety.

Inman felt that it was a sting operation; the officers were behind the signs in the walkway of State University Drive.

“There was no warning. The two police officers just rounded up a group of us students,” recalled Inman of the incident.

According to Hamrick, warnings have been made in the past and will continue to be issued, depending on the severity of the situation.

“An officer, in making his or her decision to issue a citation, takes into consideration any number of factors, including public complaints, traffic in the area and the viability of a warning,” Hamrick said.

The conditions surrounding Inman and the three other students were: a clear and sunny afternoon with no cars present in either direction.

Since Inman had no driver?s license on her at the time, she was pulled aside and the second officer took down her information. She was told the ticket would be sent to her by mail.

Inman asked the officer to give her a warning since she doesn?t jaywalk anywhere but on campus and that she wouldn?t do it again.

But the second officer looked to the initial officer and said no, he was instructed to issue the ticket.

“It was inappropriate to issue the ticket. I don?t see why they couldn?t give you a warning when this violation is a minor one compared to a speeding ticket,” Inman said, adding that people have gotten away with a warning before on speeding tickets.

Inman informed students in her class of the incident.

“No one really believed me or believed that it could happen on campus,” Inman said. “I am not sure anyone is aware of that on campus.”

Hamrick said that jaywalking is a concern because campus police have been receiving complaints of speeding cars, pedestrians nearly hit by cars and pedestrians who fail to yield the right of way to cars between the roadways of Esplanade Lane and the Guy West Bridge.

“The University Police Department enforces all state and local laws. This includes Vehicle Code violations relating to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians,” Hamrick said. The Vehicle Code 21456 states whenever a flashing or steady “DON?T WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol is showing, that no pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal.

The jaywalking ticket is not a moving violation so it will not appear on the person?s DMV record as a point, nor can the violator appeal or reduce the fee. But the violator can set up a court trial where he and the officer will appear before a judge to hear the case and the results of the court trial can be appealed.

The price of the jaywalking ticket is $87 for the first time offense, but Inman had asked the officer the amount of the citation and was told that it would be $58.

“Obviously I know what I did was wrong but before issuing such an expensive ticket they should somehow publicize that they were going to have a crackdown on jaywalking,” Inman said.

“They were probably making examples of us but that is unfair,” added Inman. “One of the responsibilities of the University Police Department is to ensure the safety of the campus community. In doing so, we take into consideration input from the public and trends that impact the overall safety of the university,” Hamrick said in response to the sudden growth in jaywalking tickets.

According to “Dangerous by Design,” a report issued by the Surface Transportation Policy Project, Sacramento County was named to be the most dangerous place for pedestrians. According to the report, 30 pedestrians were killed and 516 were injured in 1999.