In response to a community initiative aimed at enhancing safety, city crews swiftly removed DIY crosswalks painted by residents around Stoner Park in West Los Angeles last Friday.
The decision came after the project gained attention on social media, prompting officials to cite federal and state regulations for their actions.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents the area, conveyed her frustration over the removal, stating that she had requested the crosswalks be left in place.
“What is the worst that could possibly happen?” Park remarked in an interview with LAist.
She emphasized that the presence of the painted crosswalks made the intersection “at least slightly more safe” while the city considers further steps to improve safety in the area.
The initiative began when Sawtelle resident Jonathan Hale, along with friends and community members, painted the yellow crosswalks over two Saturdays in late May.
Hale explained his motivation, stating, “It’s just a busy area and I didn’t want to wait for somebody to get injured or killed before we did something.”
Despite the well-intentioned effort by the residents, the L.A. Department of Transportation intervened three days after local media covered the story, resulting in the rapid removal of the crosswalks.
In her interview, Park expressed her commitment to finding safer solutions for the community.
She mentioned that she had already taken steps to engage with the appropriate channels to assess potential speed safety measures around Stoner Park.
“I don’t particularly want to see limited city resources being used in a war of attrition with neighbors who are just trying to make their community safe,” Park added, highlighting the need for collaboration.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation acknowledged the community’s goal of improving safety in neighborhood streets.
In a statement, they noted they are currently assessing locations to install crosswalks compliant with state and federal guidelines.
Diego de la Garza, former associate director of transportation, commented on the legal liabilities that arise from unofficial crosswalks.
According to him, a homemade crosswalk can create a deceptive sense of safety, which may compromise actual safety standards.
De la Garza elaborated that numerous factors such as lighting, signals, and speed limits need to be thoroughly evaluated.
Park acknowledged the community’s frustration with the city’s swift action but reiterated the importance of following proper procedures.
She affirmed, “They actually looked pretty good to me,” referring to the crosswalks.
Ultimately, Park expressed a desire for residents to engage with her office prior to any similar initiatives in the future.
“We don’t have to get into little tit-for-tats like this — that isn’t going to solve the problem,” she asserted.
Park underscored her office’s ongoing requests for the Department of Transportation to evaluate safety needs within the public right-of-way, reiterating that the ultimate goal is to “do it right.”
As the debate continues, both the city officials and residents of West L.A. hope to find a solution that enhances safety around Stoner Park without community dissent.
image source from：laist
