Undercover police officers are being paid to cross the street in the town of Hammonton.
That's because of a new initiative to crackdown on drivers who don't stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
"No one ever intends to strike to a pedestrian. All it takes is a moment's inattentiveness," Lt. Kevin Friel, Hammonton Police.
NBC10's Cydney Long reports that officers are posing as pedestrians, wearing bright red shirts as they walk in the crosswalk. Drivers who fail to stop could face a $500 fine, plus the possibility of jail time.
The penalties aren't new, police say they've been in place, but many people in the community are not aware of them.
Joann Virgilio tells NBC10's Long that she is well aware of crosswalk dangers, after being hit in a 25 m.p.h zone while crossing the street in Hammonton.
"We have to get someplace and so do the people driving the cars, but you have to respect pedestrians," said Virgilio.
Virgilio says she is thrilled that Hammonton is using resources to enforce pedestrian safety.
