Council motion seeks legal path for volunteer crosswalk repainting
A proposed pilot program would allow community groups to repaint existing marked crossings after more than a year of unauthorized work.
By Karan Grant ·
Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky introduced a motion on Wednesday to study the feasibility of a volunteer-led program for repainting crosswalks. The proposal directs the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to evaluate how community members can legally assist with street maintenance tasks that are currently restricted to city staff.
The motion specifically targets the repainting of existing, city-approved crosswalks. It does not authorize volunteers to paint new crossings, which require professional engineering review. The document notes that repainting established markings may provide an additional opportunity for community involvement if appropriate safeguards are implemented.
The push for a formal pilot program follows more than a year of unauthorized painting by the group People's Vision Zero. The organization began marking crosswalks near the intersection of Stoner and Nebraska avenues after becoming frustrated with the lack of visible safety markings in the area.
Jonathan Hale, the founder of People's Vision Zero, stated that the group paints crosswalks as a protest for safer streets and more effective government. He noted that he was arrested for the work, a video of which went viral and led to further discussions with the mayor's office regarding executive action for pedestrian safety.
Hale said the group sought a pilot program to allow them to continue their work within legal boundaries. "We wanted to see executive action to make our streets safer, and we wanted to see the creation of a pilot program like this to allow us to continue working legally," he said.
Other street safety advocates have expressed support for the council's initiative. Beverly Shelton, whose grandson was killed by a car while crossing a street in Northern California, emphasized the personal risk pedestrians face daily. "You take your life in your own hands when you go out and walk," Shelton said. "It should be a safe thing to do, and it's not."
The motion now requires a vote and approval before the study can begin. Hale expressed optimism that the step could lead to broader changes in how the city builds its infrastructure, citing proven methods for slowing traffic and improving environments for pedestrians and cyclists.
Source: KNBC
