Sawtelle Residents Paint Their Own Crosswalks to Improve Pedestrian Safety

Community-Led Safety Initiative

• 💡 Residents in Sawtelle, Los Angeles, initiated their own crosswalk painting parties to enhance pedestrian safety.
• 🎯 The primary motivation was concern for children playing in local parks, especially during summer camps, where cars were observed speeding.

Addressing Traffic Safety Concerns

• 🚗 Despite the presence of stop signs, drivers were frequently speeding through intersections near Stoner Park.
• ⚠️ Organizers felt that physical infrastructure was needed to actively alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians, beyond just signs.

DIY Crosswalk Project

• 🛠️ Community members used traffic-grade paint and stencils to repaint crosswalks around Stoner Park.
• 🗓️ These painting sessions occurred every Saturday for four weeks, starting on May 24th.

Bypassing City Bureaucracy

• 🚧 Jonathan Hale, an organizer, chose to bypass the city's official process due to its lengthy approval, budgeting, and subcontractor requirements.
• 🗣️ He had previously raised the issue in neighborhood council meetings but found the city's process too cumbersome.

City's Response and Alternatives

• ❓ The city was contacted for comment regarding the unofficial crosswalks and the typical process for installing them.
• 📞 Residents can request services like crosswalk installations through the My LA 311 system.
• 🤝 Hale noted that other organizations have undertaken similar crosswalk painting projects in LA previously.