POTSDAM -- Police are stepping up enforcement at crosswalks in the village.

As of Monday, the Potsdam Police Department begin a pedestrian safety campaign specifically targeting motorists who do not yield to pedestrians attempting to cross a street in a crosswalk, according to Chief of Police Kevin Bates.

Of particular interest is the crosswalk on Main Street downtown near the Roxy Theater and the Clarkson Inn.

"We will not only be monitoring that crosswalk, but all crosswalks without pedestrian crossing signals," Bates said in his announcement.

Bates quoted applicable law, stating that motorists must sow down or stop to permit a pedestrian to cross in a crosswalk without a signal or where the signal is not working. It also says vehicles approaching from behind a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk "shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle."

The law also spells out the responsibility of the pedestrian.

"No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield," the law states.

And it says that a pedestrian crossing at a place without a crosswalk, or crossing at an intersection without a marked crosswalk, will yield to traffic.

Chief Bates said police will be watching the "non-signaled crosswalks in marked and unmarked patrol units and will be issuing tickets to motorists who do not yield the right of way to pedestrians in the crosswalks."

People with questions concerning the rules may call the Potsdam Police Department at 265-2121 and speak with an officer.