ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. --
Jaywalking has been happening so much in Atlantic City that police are cracking down and have begun to ticket people for the offense.
More than 80 people have been hit by vehicles in Atlantic City this year. It's a big problem and many times, authorities said, the pedestrians were the ones at fault. Police are holding jaywalkers accountable by handing out tickets.
Police ticketed people Monday because of where they stepped off into the street.
"We're enforcing jaywalking," Patrolman Steven Randall, of Atlantic City police, said.
Police are fining pedestrians $25, if they break the jaywalking law.
"There's been too many people hit in the city of Atlantic City for crossing against the lights," Randall said.
Crossing the street anywhere outside a crosswalk can also get you in trouble.
"We're finding some opposition," Randall said.
"That's ridiculous. I just…" one jaywalker said.
"You just jaywalked," Randall said.
"We can pass," the jaywalker said.
"No you can't pass. It says, 'Do not cross.' That's what that hand means, stop," Randall said. "But this is just part of our job. This isn't personal. We're actually trying to help them and keep them safe."
The crackdown comes as a result of a $42,000 federal grant given to Atlantic City this year to focus on pedestrian safety.
Officials said in the last seven years, more than 1,000 people had been struck by vehicles, 20 of them were killed.
"If we can teach and train the people to cross at the intersections, with the lights, we're going to handle less accidents where pedestrians are laying on the ground," Randall said.
Some people understand the jaywalking enforcement but many others are not happy about it.
"Of course I don't like it. I'm shocked," Creighton Knowles, of Egg Harbor Township, said. "I have a kid at home, by himself. I think that's a little bit more important."
Police handed out hundreds of warnings before they started writing tickets.
But in the casino city visited by 34 million people a year, many are now learning with a fine about the new way to lose money in Atlantic City.
Police are also going after drivers who don't yield to pedestrians.
Police said the jaywalking crackdown isn't something they plan to just enforce this summer, they will continue to ticket well into the future.
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