LOS ANGELES — In a striking demonstration of civic activism, Jonathan Hale, a member of the advocacy group People's Vision Zero, was arrested while painting crosswalks at a hazardous intersection in West Los Angeles. Armed with rollers and bright white paint, Hale and his group aimed to bring attention to situation where pedestrians' safety is at risk.
During the grassroots initiative, Hale was handcuffed by police as he painted a crosswalk, arguing that immediate action was necessary to prevent accidents. You’re vandalizing city property without a permit, the officer told Hale.
The People's Vision Zero group has taken it upon themselves to address unsafe road conditions, conducting painting operations after the city's lack of response to flagged dangerous intersections. These efforts often include setting up makeshift barricades to quickly execute their plans.
After his arrest, Hale expressed frustration, stating that the city will now incur costs to remove their crosswalks, an outcome he believes could have been avoided if the mayor's office had acted. He maintained that he feels compelled to continue until the city acknowledges these dangers.
The City of Los Angeles has previously implemented the Vision Zero program, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities. However, community members like Hale argue that the plan remains underutilized. Executive director of Los Angeles Walks, Alex Ramirez, emphasized the pressing need for a formal resource-based program allowing residents to advocate for pedestrian safety.
Ramirez noted, When communities flag dangerous intersections and see no response, people take action out of necessity. Hale faces a violation for misdemeanor vandalism, with a court date set for January 5.
