Los Angeles Considers Letting Volunteers Repaint City Crosswalks Under a Pilot Program
Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky has introduced a motion asking the Department of Transportation to study a pilot program that would let community volunteers repaint existing, city-approved crosswalks, after more than a year of unauthorized paintings by a street-safety group.
Los Angeles City Council member Katy Yaroslavsky introduced a motion on Wednesday asking the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of creating a pilot program that would allow community volunteers to paint crosswalks. The motion targets existing, city-approved crosswalks rather than new installations, noting that while new crosswalks require professional engineering reviews, repainting approved ones could offer an opportunity for community involvement if safeguards are put in place.
The council motion follows more than a year of illegal crosswalk paintings across Los Angeles by a street safety group called People's Vision Zero. Jonathan Hale, the group's founder, explained that members took matters into their own hands out of frustration over a lack of painted crosswalks near a park located on Stoner and Nebraska avenues, and that painting the crosswalks serves as the group's form of protest demanding safer streets and more effective government.
The motion has been introduced but still requires a formal vote and approval before any volunteer pilot program can move forward. Hale expressed optimism regarding the city's proposal, stating that he hopes it will lead to broader changes in how infrastructure is built throughout Los Angeles, and street safety advocates have welcomed the city's step.
