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Portland Mayor Charlie Hales: Pedestrian decoy.

(The Oregonian)

Hey, Portland drivers, do you recognize that man in the photo?

Take a good look. That's Mayor Charlie Hales.

If you see him trying to cross at East Burnside Street and 16th Avenue between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. next Thursday, give him a brake. Seriously, for the love of no-parking apartment complexes, stop!



The Portland Bureau of Transportation announced Friday that Hales will serve as a "pedestrian decoy" for the monthly Portland police crosswalk sting to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and traffic laws.

"Safety is the top priority of our transportation system," Hales said in a PBOT statement. "I'm glad the police and transportation bureaus are joining forces to conduct safety actions like this."

Two observations: Isn't "decoy" the same noun used by duck hunters? (We're not sure it's the best way to describe someone walking in morning traffic.) And the city is paying the mayor to cross the road for 90 minutes?

OK then.

Here's how the operation will work: The decoy, er, mayor will be "positioned" at marked and unmarked crosswalks in the area. Drivers and bicyclists who fail to brake for pedestrians who have showed a clear intent to cross or are in the process of crossing face a $260 ticket. Pedestrians who jaywalk also could be cited.

Under ORS 811.028, vehicle operators with reasonable time and distance to do must stop when they see a person waiting to cross an intersection at a corner

The mayor doesn't even have to cross. Technically, he could just stand there sticking his foot in the crosswalk (that counts as intent).



More from PBOT:

-- Joseph Rose