Santa Fe Officials Consider Tougher Jaywalking Penalties

Faced with a significant number of deaths and injuries, Santa Fe city officials are considering toughening up penalties for jaywalking.

A new ordinance would mandate that jaywalkers answer for their crimes by appearing in Municipal Court, a move that could mean up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine.

Currently, jaywalkers are fined $25 and can pay the penalty, which includes an additional $56 in fees, by mail.

“This puts a little more oomph” into the law and says “we’re taking it a little more seriously,” Municipal Court Judge Ann Yalman told the city’s Public Works Committee on Tuesday.

Ideally, knowing about the new penalties, “you’re going to think twice before you jaywalk again,” Yalman said.

The Public Safety Committee unanimously approved the proposal.

Yalman said she’s heard that six people have been killed while jaywalking in Santa Fe, but couldn’t immediately provide a time frame for that number. She noted that just this week she heard a case involving a man seriously hurt while jaywalking.

“Apparently there’s been an awful lot of jaywalkers that have been severely injured or killed,” Yalman said.

Jaywalkers are often intoxicated, or might be homeless, Yalman said.

City Councilor Ron Trujillo, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said he also often sees students at DeVargas Middle School on Llano Street illegally crossing the often busy thoroughfare to reach nearby shops.

“I don’t want to see a child get hit by a car,” Trujillo said.

Accidents tend to especially happen on Cerrillos Road, St. Francis Drive or near downtown Santa Fe, according to Yalman.