SKANEATELES - Between the lake, the vibrant downtown, and the busy streetside businesses, pedestrians are drawn to Skaneateles streets during the summer.

To encourage a safer walking environment, the Skaneateles Police Department is trying a tactic to make motorists more aware of the laws stating they have to yield to walkers in marked pedestrian crossings.

As part of the ongoing effort, the department has plainclothes officers using the crosswalks while marked patrols observe and pull over any violators.

Officers first did the enforcement effort on Tuesday and issued 12 tickets, primarily for the crosswalk violations.

Skaneateles Police Chief Lloyd Perkins initiated the effort in response to resident complaints and several near misses.

This detail is similar to an enforcement effort the Chicago Police Department uses.

In addition to the enforcement details, regular patrol units will watch for any violations in crosswalks.