Politics & Government
Firefighters Say Ave. 60 Crosswalk is a Danger to Pedestrians
Capt. Steve Skelly says firefighters have witnessed an injury and several near misses at the crosswalk.
The crosswalk on North Figueroa Street between Aves. 59 and 60 is one of the most dangerous strips of pavement in Highland Park, according to LAFD Station 12 Capt. Steven Skelly.
Skelly said that paramedics from Station 12, which is located directly adjacent to the crosswalk, have witnessed several "near misses" on the street and needed to rescue at least one person who was struck while crossing.
"The problem with that crosswalk is that we're on borrowed time," Skelly said.
There's no crossing sign at the crosswalk, Skelly said, and that the overgrown trees in the area have obscured the nearby street lights.
"It's just an uncontrolled crosswalk," Skelly said.
Other factors play into the dangerous condition surrounding the crosswalk, according to Skelly, including the amount the traffic that flows through the adjacent intersection, and the high number of other crosswalks in the area.
"People cross through that intersection and they don't realize that they need to slow down again because they're still accelerating," he said.
The firefighters at Station 12 have sent informal letters to local Los Angeles City Councilman Ed Reyes requesting that a crossing sign be installed, Skelly said, but have yet to receive a response.
At Thursday evening's meeting, Skelly will request a letter of support in his effort get funding for the installation of a crossing sign and LED ground lights at the crosswalk.
Skelly said that as part of the safety improvements to the crosswalk, he'd also like to see an electronic system installed near the fire station that will stop southbound traffic whenever an alarm is triggered. The system would also give a green light to traffic in the northbound lane.
"That would ensure that the traffic lanes are clear in both directions," Skelly said. "We have the 'keep clear' sign in front of the station, but its not enough."
Thursday's Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Highland Park Adult Senior Citizen Center.
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