Welcome to Los Angeles

I was apprehended by two of LAPD’s finest as I walked along the sidewalk on a sunny afternoon in February. After producing identification and answering various questions, I was told that I was being given a citation for crossing the street at Whitley and Hollywood Boulevard--against the light! Seeing that I was from the East, they advised me that traffic laws were taken seriously in this town. I felt compelled to agree.

Later, however, I couldn’t help wondering about my “crime.” What was it exactly? Maybe it was some kind of “reckless endangerment?” But of whom? Myself?

I’ve always thought of traffic signals, etc. as means to regulate the behavior of the operators of automobiles--because cars are lethal weapons, and their use should be regulated. A pedestrian can’t argue right of way with a car. Lights, signs, crosswalks, etc. help, but beyond them he depends upon his own alertness and common sense to survive among the missiles people call transportation.

Pedestrians should observe traffic regulations, certainly, but shouldn’t they be considered as courtesies to pedestrians rather than commands from the Police Department? Drivers of cars have the option of turning right on a red light if they observe no oncoming traffic. Shouldn’t the pedestrian have the option of crossing the street (as in my case) if he observes no oncoming traffic? Now, I’m not trying to escape, fellas; it just feels dumb standing there when no cars are coming!

I’ve only been living in L.A. for a few weeks and I’ll make adjustments, sure. Back East we observe the laws too, but the traffic regulators leave room for thought, that is, common sense--something Americans are famous for! When it’s obviously safe to cross a street, we cross it, whatever color the light bulbs may be.

WILLIAM PERLEY

North Hollywood