PORT ST. LUCIE – As of Aug. 5, Port St. Lucie Police added officers at four targeted areas to improve pedestrians’ and bicyclists’ safety.

The additional officers are at:

• U.S. 1 from Southeast Mariposa Avenue to Village Green Drive on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from midnight to 3 p.m.

• Southwest Gatlin Boulevard from I-95 to SW Fondura Road/SW Savage Boulevard on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Southwest Savona Boulevard from Southwest Melrose Avenue to Southwest Gatlin Boulevard on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The high-visibility enforcement program is expected to continue through May 7, 2027. These are areas which have a high number of pedestrian and bicyclist crashes, according to a Port St. Lucie Police press release.

Beginning Feb. 1 through May 7, 2027, additional officers will conduct similar enforcement along Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard from Southwest Bayshore Boulevard to Southeast Aneci Street.

Special attention will be directed toward dangerous behaviors which contribute to serious and fatal injuries, according to a Port St. Lucie Police press release. Officers will look for motorists who are speeding, failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, making improper turns, disregarding traffic signals, driving aggressively, or using hand-held electronic devices while operating a vehicle.

Officers will also watch for pedestrians who cross outside designated crosswalks or intersections, disregard pedestrian-control signals, or fail to yield to motorists who have the right-of-way.

Bicyclists may be stopped for riding against traffic, failing to use required lighting while riding at night, or failing to follow the same traffic laws which apply to motor vehicles.

While the initial emphasis of these operations is education and awareness, officers may issue warnings or citations when appropriate based on the circumstances of each violation, it was noted in the press release.

“Pedestrian and bicyclist safety is a shared responsibility,” said Chief Leo Niemczyk. “These targeted operations allow our officers to direct additional resources to areas where traffic safety concerns have been identified, while reinforcing everyone’s responsibility to safely share the roadway. Whether you are driving, walking, or riding a bicycle, remain alert,

follow the law, and look out for one another.”

The money for these operations comes from the Florida Department of Transportation’s pedestrian and bicycle High Visibility Enforcement Program, which enables participating law enforcement agencies to conduct enforcement in priority areas with a high representation of crashes resulting in serious or fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Drivers are urged by the police department to obey posted speed limits, never drive impaired, put phones down, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and remain alert to pedestrians and bicyclists.

In addition, bicyclists should obey all traffic laws, travel in the same direction as vehicle traffic, use proper lighting when riding at night, and remain visible.

And pedestrians are advised to use designated crosswalks or intersections, obey pedestrian signals, avoid distractions, and make sure drivers can see them, especially at night.