In an effort to improve pedestrian safety and enforce the use of crosswalks, Dewey Beach will now be giving citations to people who jaywalk.

Those who receive citations will have to pay a “material fee,” said Mayor Bill Stevens at town council’s May 16 meeting.

“The town, the state and the police department have worked very hard to get people to use the crosswalks,” Town Manager Bill Zolper said at the meeting. “There’s been a big public safety push for that, and we want people to be safe when they cross the road.”

Jaywalking has been a big issue in the town in the past, so officials hope the fee will serve as a deterrent.

The town has also installed ropes and posts along the center island, known as the Dewey Wave, to deter people from jaywalking.

The exact fee amount has not yet been announced, but town officials say it will be hefty.