West LA Residents Paint Their Own Crosswalks After City Inaction

Community Frustration with Traffic Safety

• 🚗 Residents in a West LA neighborhood, specifically near Stoner Park, grew fed up with speeding drivers.
• 🌳 The area is busy with park-goers, dog walkers, and children, making the excessive speed particularly dangerous.
• 💡 Despite complaints to the city, residents felt their concerns about traffic safety were not being addressed.

DIY Crosswalks and Unsanctioned Solutions

• 🖌️ Frustrated by the city's inaction, a neighbor named Johnny (Jonathan) took the initiative to paint their own crosswalks.
• 🗓️ This DIY effort has been happening every Saturday since late May, with volunteers participating.
• ⚠️ The city is unaware of these painted crosswalks, raising concerns they might be painted over as they are not officially sanctioned.

Impact on Driver Behavior

• 🚦 Even without pedestrians present, the painted crosswalks have reportedly slowed down drivers.
• 🧠 The markings increase driver awareness of the potential for foot traffic and the need to proceed cautiously.
• 🗣️ Johnny believes this DIY approach changes driver behavior by making them more aware of the neighborhood's pedestrian activity.

City Process and Resident Impatience

• 🚧 The city has implemented makeshift rotaries and barriers to slow traffic, but residents find them ineffective against determined speeders.
• ⏳ Residents have gone through the neighborhood association and city council, but the process for official crosswalks is lengthy, involving bidding and months of waiting.
• ✊ Johnny and other neighbors have expressed frustration with the slow pace, leading them to take matters into their own hands.

The Drive for Safety

• ❓ A key concern is that the city may paint over the unofficial crosswalks, but Johnny is prepared to repaint them if they disappear.
• 🤝 The sentiment is that safety should come first, overriding bureaucratic processes.
• 🚗 The reporter notes that similar issues and traffic calming measures exist throughout the West LA neighborhood, with cars still speeding.