(Photo: AP)

Taking advantage of a grant from the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Gaithersburg Police Department is starting a pedestrian safety initiative that's part education and part enforcement.

From Sept. 13 through Sept. 24, police officers will be posted up along Route 355, where they'll be "educating" pedestrians on safety issues (we imagine that will involve some pamphlets), as well as ticketing both peds and drivers who aren't obeying traffic laws.

Of particular concern is the stretch of 355 that's North Frederick Avenue, near Gaithersburg Square, where pedestrians often cross against the signal. According to a press release, scofflaws can expect either a jaywalking ticket or a pre-printed warning.