Turkey takes center stage in police safety operation

A police officer dressed in a turkey suit was the center of attention at the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Balzar Avenue Tuesday, testing motorists' attention to traffic laws. The site has been in the news following a traffic fatality and a move by the city to reduce the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph. (Courtesy Facebook, LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

(Courtesy Facebook, LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

(Courtesy Facebook, LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

(Courtesy Facebook, LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

(Courtesy Facebook, LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

(Courtesy Facebook, LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

(Courtesy Facebook, LAS VEGAS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT)

It should have been hard to miss — a giant turkey crossing the road.

Motorists driving on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Carey Avenue Tuesday would have encountered the giant bird (an officer in costume). It was the Las Vegas police department’s latest effort to make drivers aware of pedestrians and stopping for people in crosswalks.

Officers on motorcycles were stopping and ticketing motorists who did not yield the right of way to the turkey in the crosswalk.

Since September there have been two pedestrian fatalities near this area. One pedestrian was killed Nov. 1 while in a crosswalk at Bartlett Avenue. Another died on Sept. 20 in a crosswalk at Balzar Avenue.

On Nov. 20, the Las Vegas City Council voted to lower the limit from 45 mph to 35 mph between Symphony Park and Carey avenues, which includes the intersections where the pedestrian fatalities occured.