LA council seeks volunteer program to repaint crosswalks

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky introduced a motion on Wednesday requiring the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of a volunteer pilot program for painting crosswalks. The proposal aims to formalize a practice already undertaken by local residents who have taken to repainting streets without official permission.

The motion specifies that the program would focus exclusively on repainting crosswalks already approved by the city. It would not cover the installation of new crossings. According to the document, professional engineering review is required for new infrastructure, but repainting existing approved lines could offer a chance for community involvement if proper safeguards are in place.

The initiative responds to the work of People's Vision Zero, a group that has painted crosswalks across the city illegally for more than a year. The group began its efforts near a park at Stoner and Nebraska avenues due to a lack of visible markings in the area. Jonathan Hale, the founder of the organization, stated that the group paints crosswalks as a form of protest for safer streets and more effective government action.

Hale noted that he has been arrested for the activity, an event he said gained widespread attention through viral video. That visibility led to further collaboration with the mayor's office. "And 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," Hale said.

Other advocates are also supporting the move. Beverly Shelton, whose grandson was killed while crossing a street in Northern California, described the current state of pedestrian safety. "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."

Hale expressed optimism regarding the potential for broader changes in how infrastructure is built in Los Angeles. He cited proven methods for slowing down cars and creating environments more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists. The motion now awaits a vote and approval from the council.