Posts tagged Carey Weinheimer
City of Boulder to get tough on crosswalk violations—finally
Apr 6th
Police to step up crosswalk safety enforcement
Residents should be aware of three new laws
Beginning on Monday, April 9, 2012, the Boulder Police Department will be performing proactive enforcement at city crosswalks. As priorities allow, officers will target Boulder’s busiest intersections to make sure drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians are following three new rules that went into effect in February.
The three amendments to the Boulder Revised code are:
- “Stop at crosswalk required” [7-4-77] stipulates that when one vehicle stops to yield for a person in a crosswalk, another vehicle cannot overtake and pass that vehicle.
- “8 mph speed limit for bicycles in a crosswalk” [7-5-5] establishes a speed limit of 8 mph for bicyclists during the immediate approach, entry and traversal of any crosswalk that spans a roadway.
- “Pedestrian obedience to traffic signal required” [7-5-15(f)] targets the use of flashing crosswalks (those with flashing yellow crosswalk signs) by requiring a person crossing to enter the crosswalk with the warning device activated.
The rules are intended to address some of the most frequent problems highlighted in “Safe Streets Boulder,” the city’s recent traffic study analyzing data from motor vehicle collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians. The data compiled during a 40-month period indicated that overall, the city’s street safety record is good, considering the high number of pedestrian and bicycle trips in Boulder.
“Most people are using common sense and following the law, but there are still some problem areas in town. We’re stepping up enforcement to educate citizens about the new laws. Ultimately our goal is to save lives and prevent more accidents,” says Cmdr. Carey Weinheimer.
The report found that crosswalks at intersections are the most common location for collisions and identified 15 of the most accident-prone spots. Police will focus enforcement efforts at those locations. Four of the intersections are along Broadway, adjacent to the University of Colorado campus. The University of Colorado Police Department will also enforce the city’s pedestrian ordinances and focus on high traffic areas of campus.
Possible penalties for violating the new laws are listed below:
- Stop at Crosswalk Required [7-4-77]: possible $300 bond, $125 mail-in fine and 4 point violation
- Speeding bicycles in Crosswalks [7-5-5]: possible $100 mail-in fine and 0 points
- Pedestrian Obedience to Traffic Signals [7-5-15(f)]: possible $50 mail-in fine and 0 points
Occupy Boulder hour of doom rapidly approaching
Jan 6th
Boulder police chief visits Occupy Boulder encampment, discusses city park hours
Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner, along with Boulder Police Cmdr. Carey Weinheimer, visited participants at the Occupy Boulder encampment outside the Municipal Building this afternoon to discuss the new rule that goes into effect tonight, which closes city parks between the hours of 11 p.m and 5 a.m.
The rule prohibits anyone from remaining in city parks, parkways or recreation areas, with the exception of bicyclists and pedestrians who are passing through the areas. Individuals remaining between the hours of 11 p.m and 5 a.m. will be in violation of the city’s trespassing rule and subject to receiving a summons or being arrested. The chief and commander handed out copies of the new regulation as they spoke to individuals at the encampment this afternoon.
Boulder chief of police warms Occupy protestors of deadline
Because Occupy Boulder protestors have been camping overnight on the Sister Cities’ Plaza outside of the Municipal Building for several weeks, Chief Beckner wanted to make sure individuals were aware of the change, which goes into effect tonight.
“Boulder police officers have been engaging in dialogues with Occupy Boulder participants all along. I thought it was important to continue those dialogues so that they understood the new rule, when it goes into effect and what the potential consequences are if they decide to stay,” Beckner said. “The police department intends to enforce the trespassing regulation, but what we are really hoping for is voluntary compliance. We support all people’s First Amendment rights to express their opinions, and hope they will do so during the daytime hours.”
Discussions between the chief and the participants at the encampment were low-key and positive, as most of the interactions have been to date. Many of the protestors are planning to comply with the new rule and some shared with Chief Beckner their plans for packing up their tents and making arrangements to protest during hours that the city parks are open.
Police intend to enforce the park closure rule, although the department has not set a timeline to do so.
