Police Widen Net for Speeders, Jaywalkers

As part of a monthlong crackdown on speeders and jaywalkers, Los Angeles police are targeting more than a dozen streets across the San Fernando Valley for increased patrols.

Officers issued more than 40 citations and impounded six vehicles along Sunland Boulevard on Wednesday, said Sgt. Dale Turner of the Valley Traffic Division.

Police targeted Sunland between Foothill Boulevard and La Tuna Canyon Road because at least three young people have died in traffic accidents in that area in recent months, he said.

Two 16-year-old Tujunga boys, Ricardo Antonio Ojeda and Gino Nepomuceno, died Saturday when their speeding car hit a tree on La Tuna Canyon near Verdugo Hills Golf Course.

In October, Jose Luis Gomez Jr., 20, of North Hollywood, died in a traffic collision at Sunland and Stonehurst Avenue.

“We’re hoping we’re not going to have anyone else die and [that we will] save a life,” Turner said. “No matter what street you use, you’ve got to watch your speed.”

There have been 52 traffic fatalities in the Valley this year, compared with 55 in 1999, Turner said.

“Speed is a factor in all collisions,” he said. “The slower it is, the less likely you are to have a fatality or a serious injury.”

During the last four years, police targeted 20 Valley streets with the most serious speeding problems, Turner said, while assigning fewer patrols to other areas.

But that has changed because about 40% of Valley traffic deaths involving high speed or pedestrians this year have occurred on the less-patrolled streets, he said.

On some streets, police have set up radar trailers that tell motorists how fast they are driving and motorcycle officers lurking nearby will issue tickets, Turner said.

Today, officers will focus on Moorpark Street and Whitsett Avenue in North Hollywood, and they will return to Sunland Boulevard on Friday.

Throughout December, police also will target Lassen Street, Riverside Drive, Magnolia and Valley Circle boulevards, and Mason, Tampa, Vineland, Wheatland, Wilbur, and Winnetka avenues.