In response to receiving numerous complaints from its stakeholders regarding the LAPD’s practice of unfairly targeting and citing pedestrians in Downtown Los Angeles, DLANC requested the City Council to consider installation of scramble crosswalks in Downtown Los Angeles to reduce pedestrian and vehicle conflicts, increase safety, and quell the LAPD’s stated rationale behind its pedestrian “crackdowns.” Based on recent reports, LAPD has been grossly disproportionately targeting Downtown Los Angeles pedestrians, as evidenced by the issuance of over 17,000 citations within a four-year period (representing the highest number of jay walking citations issued by the LAPD by roughly five-times more than the next highest neighborhood). The intersections identified for modifications include:
• Intersection of Seventh Street and Figueroa Street: This intersection includes a Metro Red, Purple, Blue, and Expo Line station, and will be the future home of the Wilshire Grand Center – which will feature the tallest building West of the Mississippi River.
• Intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street: This intersection includes L.A. Live and the Staples Center.
• Intersection of Fifth Street and Broadway Street: Fifth Street is a major thoroughfare for Metro buses and this intersection is near Pershing Square and a Metro Red Line station.
• Intersection of Seventh Street and Broadway Street: Seventh Street includes numerous eateries and Broadway Street is a shopping thoroughfare.
• Intersection of Sixth Street and Spring Street: This intersection is at the entertainment and business center of the Historic Core.
