Leprechaun-clad cops to surprise Vegas drivers

CBS/AFP/Getty Images/AP GraphicsBank

(AP) LAS VEGAS - Police officers in a leprechaun costume will frolic Las Vegas streets to test whether drivers yield to pedestrians.

UNLV Safe Community Partnership chief Erin Breen says police will hand out tickets Tuesday to motorists who fail to stop for the green-clad pedestrians crossing streets.

Fines can run $190 and up.

Pedestrians can also be ticketed for trying their luck crossing streets outside a crosswalk.

Breen says pedestrian deaths in Clark County are up 50 percent so far this year.

The St. Patrick's Day enforcement comes after a costumed turkey tested drivers in November, and Santa trolled crosswalks around Christmas.

[OneVegasMama]

It works.. w/e stops these motorists from killing pedestrians.. We have had more people killed in crosswalks and on sidewalks this year already than last year. I don't care if they have to have a naked cop. W/e get's motorist to notice the fact people still WALK and not just from their parking spot to inside a store.

[randomites]

Wouldn't a police officer out of uniform technically be considered a spy?
Or maybe I've just watched too many WW II movies.

Also they should change the name of the town to Las Viagras. Just a suggestion.

[rwsmith29456]

Get handed a ticket by a Leprechaun... "Faith and Begorra, this is going to cost you 190 bucks!!!" I heard Leprechauns could bring bad luck. LOL

[venusvegasvada]

Another creative money maker.

[rnrstar]

If it works to wake up the many seemingly asleep drivers in this town it will be worth it. I have never seen so many knocked down light poles in any town I've ever lived.

[Skootch]

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, dontcha know Darlin'...