SEATTLE -- Let’s see if I’ve got this straight.

Seattle is ranked as one of the safest pedestrian cities in the United States.

Indeed, on one national runners' Web site, Seattle’s described as a "model of institutional pedestrian protection."

So of course, Seattle police are now planning sting operations on drivers who don't stop at crosswalks.

Pardon me for sounding cynical, but me-thinks that the motivation here is the revenue from those $124-a-pop tickets that will be handed out.

Fact is, the city makes more money ticketing motorists than jaywalkers.

Estimates are that, on average, police write up one jaywalking ticket for every 370 Seattle residents, each year. Even so, it stands to reason that if the city can make twice as much money by going after motorists, why not tap into the mother lode.

Be warned: Police won't be publicizing where their crosswalk stings will be happening. Such knowledge might help improve safety but it would almost certainly diminish the city's financial return.

So now I’ve got a riddle for you: If a Belltown crack dealer runs across the street against the light to sell his dope, does he get the ticket, or does the motorist who's buying?

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