Curb on jaywalkers: Mayor has plan afoot to hike fines
The New York Daily News
By Maureen Fan, K.C. Baker and Bill Hutchinson

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Mayor Giuliani is poised to launch a major crackdown on a habit many New Yorkers consider their inalienable right: jaywalking.

Giuliani yesterday hinted that tomorrow's State of the City address will include a plan to increase the $2 fine now levied on those who cross at the wrong place or the wrong time.

Pedestrians howled in anger and frustration at the plan, which comes weeks after the city placed sidewalk barricades to block key midtown intersections to walkers.

But Giuliani showed little sign of backing down and launched an impromptu lecture about jaywalking's evils.

"Jaywalking is a very dangerous thing," he said.

"People are killed because of jaywalking," he continued. "So it's something that we should really take a good look at. Pedestrians as well as people who drive automobiles have to respect each other."

The fine for jaywalking is $2, but the mayor himself an occasional jaywalker is prepared to boost the monetary punishment to send a stern message: "That's just wrong!"

Spokeswoman Colleen Roche said Giuliani would police himself in the future: "Has the mayor jaywalked? Yes. Will he be more conscientious in the future? Yes as should all New Yorkers."

Although the mayor was not prepared to say how high the fine could go, in other cities including Manchester, N.H., and Salt Lake City fines range from $57 to a whopping $750.

Giuliani's jaywalking furor appears propelled by his frustration with pedestrians who have blatantly ignored the midtown barriers.

"Part of what has happened with the pedestrian barriers is some people showing utter disregard for the rights and safety of other people," he said.

The mayor said he wants people to stop ignoring "Don't Walk" signs, stop crossing at midblock and to stay behind pedestrian barricades.

Although critics ranging from cops to politicians to hurried pedestrians rolled their eyes at the mayor's traffic fix-it scheme, an informal survey by the Daily News indicates he might have a point.

During the afternoon rush hour along 42nd St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., The News in five minutes spotted 52 jaywalkers, including one who was hit by a cab.

Still, pedestrians grilled about Giuliani's latest brainstorm chided the mayor for being too nitpicky.

Some said the plan harkens back to the "Cross at the Green, Not In-Between" campaign of the 1960s and '70s. That slogan ceased because too many drug dealers were congregating on the corners.

The idea is similar to one suggested in 1993 by then-Mayor David Dinkins. Nothing came of it.

"It's outrageous," said pedestrian Gwen Long, 41, an administrative assistant from Staten Island.

Manhattan exterminator Santiago De La Cruz, 28, sprayed criticism on any jaywalk sting after he was seen ignoring a "Don't Walk" sign on E. 44th St. "New Yorkers have their own strut," he said. "Leave it be. We're doing just fine."

Even some cops shot down Giuliani's plan. "I think we should concentrate our efforts on crimefighting, not jaywalking," said Officer Vincent Martinelli, a Queens delegate of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

One transit advocate slammed the plan. "It's blowing smoke. What's really going on in this town is pedestrians are beleaguered," said John Kaehny, former director of Transportation Alternatives. "In crowded areas, they're falling off the sidewalks, and in other parts of the city they're beset by speeding cars and reckless drivers."

Sheldon Leffler, chairman of the City Council's Public Safety Committee, said the mayor's plan must be scrutinized, particularly whether it's a proper use of police staffing.

Laws may have to be rewritten or created to catch up with Giuliani's plan. A city Department of Transportation memo, dated Oct. 15, 1993, says a search of city court cases found no specific definition of jaywalking.

But Police Department spokeswoman Marilyn Mode said, "We're not playing word games; this is an issue of safety."

She added, "People who step off the curb in dangerous situations are breaking the law and are subject to strict enforcement action by the Police Department."

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