13 motorists cited in Gingerbread Man operation

RIVERSIDE, Calif., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Police in California said 13 motorists were cited in an operation involving a deputy dressed in a Gingerbread Man costume.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department said the costumed deputy walked back and forth across a Moreno Valley crosswalk for about 50 minutes and 13 motorists were cited for failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk during the Thursday operation, The (Riverside) Press Enterprise reported Friday.

Sgt. Bill Guimont said most of the motorists told deputies they didn't notice the Gingerbread Man in the crosswalk in front of Rainbow Springs Elementary School.

"Our concern is if they can't see a 7-foot Gingerbread Man, then how are they going to see their son or daughter that is only 5 feet tall walking through a crosswalk," Guimont said.