September 27, 2000 1:19 p.m. The Sac State dormitory crosswalk is living up to its reputation as a notorious hotbed of criminal activity. The day is hotter than usual, adding to criminal frustrations. Two fearless Campus Police officers embark on their latest sting operation. One officer mans the point, the other captures the perpetrators in his elaborate web?

?1:20 p.m. The criminal approaches, armed with what looks to be an extremely sharp pen, perhaps of the “Dr. Grip” variety. The officer bears down on the suspect like Wyatt Earp at the O.K. Corral. The tension builds as the suspect moves closer and closer, blissfully ignorant of the well thought out Campus Police sting?

?1:21 p.m. Game Over, the notorious jaywalker (at this point I?m ready to admit that it?s me) accepts his fate. The heavy hand of the law wins outright, and slaps me with a $58 fine.

Game over. Sac State Police 58, Josh Leon ?58.

Let me thank the Campus Police Department for keeping the world safe for the light traffic that goes past the crosswalk.

While I was having my close encounter with the Campus Police, I had counted four fellow ticket recipients ? since then, I have heard from several more who went through the same ordeal by day?s end.

Let me be the first to point out that I was indeed in the wrong for crossing the dire straits of a crosswalk without the flashing stick figure showing. Maybe for my next death-defying feat I?ll try shooting myself out of a cannon across the intersection.

Nonetheless it is a crime, but you have to ask whether or not a $58 fine is justified.

As a bad driver, I am the first to admit that the Campus Police are acting upon a legitimate need to keep pedestrians away from cars. However levying such an obscene fine on our fiscally challenged student population ? for a first time offense ? does more harm than good. Such Draconian measures may make us all think twice about jay walking but it will put a serious burden on many students who subsist on part-time incomes (but who have full-time expenses).

Campus Police should issue warnings to first-time jaywalkers instead of levying large fines for a relatively minor misdemeanor. Given the number of burglaries, break-ins, assaults and other sordid crimes taking place on campus, you might think the Campus Police have better things to do.

I believe our student body is intelligent enough to consider a warning and will understand the officers? concern for public safety. Fines are not needed.

Maybe the boys in blue can get more in touch with the student body before they decide to take on some other hot button issue ? like the war on sidewalk spitting.

Josh Leon is a Journalism major and can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].