Release posted on 12-01-23 at 8:43 a.m.

The St. Petersburg Police Department received a $49,087 contract to conduct High Visibility Enforcement operations focusing on bicycle and pedestrian safety from December 2023 through May 2024. This will kick-off on Monday, December 4th, from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., on 34th Street between 1st Avenue South and 5th Avenue North.

Traffic Section Sgt. Mike Schade will be available to speak to media from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Walmart parking lot at 2nd Ave. N. and 34th St. N. (close to the 34th St. roadway)

Year-to-date we have had seven pedestrian fatalities compared to 11 during the same time in 2022, and two bicycle fatalities compared to two in 2022. Pinellas County ranks in the top 25 counties in the state for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Over the next several months, education and enforcement efforts will be conducted along the following roadways:

• 34th Street North and South
• 4th Street North
• 18th Avenue South
• 16th Street South
• 3rd Street North
• US 19/5th Avenue North
• 49th Street North

Working in partnership with the Institute for Police Technology and Management and The University of North Florida, this traffic safety initiative is part of the Florida Department of Transportation's, "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow" campaign. FDOT in cooperation with IPTM awarded the police department the contract to provide an increased police presence in high traffic areas to raise awareness of and compliance with traffic laws that protect pedestrians and bicyclists.