ELKHART — It's a problem that surfaces every year about this time, as students go back to school. But Elkhart Police say this year, more people are ignoring sidewalks than ever before. Starting this weekend, that could mean hefty fines -- even if those caught off the sidewalk are kids.

Elkhart Police say it's all a safety issue. Over the last few weeks, several "near misses" between pedestrians and vehicles have been reported.

Now, they're sending out a new message: Stay on the sidewalk, or pay the price.

At Elkhart Central High School Friday night, rain didn't keep die-hard fans from missing a minute of the action. But, after the clock ticked down to zero, police say there was another epic clash that's becoming all too common. This time, it was between cars and kids.

"You have all the vehicles leaving from the football games and stuff like that. And, they're just walking in the street," said Elkhart Police Sergeant Scott Hupp.

Hupp says "near misses" between the two are becoming more and more common all week long.

"They're walking, crossing the street, hanging out in the road, and not using the sidewalks. And that endangers the kids and the vehicles as well," Hupp said.

Police think there's a simple reason for the increase: a new law about busing at Elkhart Community Schools.

"If you live 2 miles or more within the [location of] a school, you have to walk now. So, you have a lot more kids that are walking to and from school," said Hupp.

Dan Hollandsworth sees them every day as he picks his grandkids up from Roosevelt Elementary.

"It's like they scatter. And, it's pretty messy there right now. Sometimes, I do see them in the street," he said.

It's already been enough to make some parents like Jennifer Shelton worry.

"All the time. I worry all the time," she said.

It's also made her have an extra "talk" with her three kids.

"They know the basic rules. They're in junior high and high school. But we don't have sidewalks where we live. So they have to walk in the road. So I tell them to be careful, because that's their only option," she said.

The problem, say police, is that many teens are simply ignoring those rules. Now, doing that will cost them.

"[We're going to write citations], absolutely," said Hupp. "The reason we're doing this is so they don't get hurt. We want parents to talk to their kids, and let them know that we are serious. Because the parents are the ones who are going to have to pay the ticket."

And the costs can add up quickly.

Under Indiana law, "failure to use a sidewalk" can be punishable by a fine of up to $125.

"Obstruction of traffic" is a Class C misdemeanor -- an arrestable offense that could result in jail time.

Sgt. Hupp says extra patrols have already been dispatched to search for violators. This week alone, three high schoolers were ticketed and one was arrested for refusing to move while they were obstructing traffic in the roadway.

Hollandsworth says he hopes that can be a lesson to other parents and students across the city.

"$150 is better than a funeral, I guess," he said. "Maybe that's what it's going to have to take."