LAPD Beefs Up Patrols at Dangerous Intersections

Following a report detailing dangers at Los Angeles’ most accident-prone intersections, LAPD officials announced Tuesday they will beef up enforcement of traffic laws by putting 40 additional officers on that task.

The expanded traffic enforcement staff will be expected to concentrate on the dangerous intersections starting July 1, said LAPD Cmdr. David Kalish.

But the plan falls far short of a proposal by the council’s Transportation Committee, which voted 3 to 0 on Tuesday to recommend that the department double its force of 257 motorcycle officers devoted to traffic enforcement.

Kalish said there are no plans to increase the motorcycle force, noting that motorcycles are expensive, the department would have to hire more mechanics, and motorcycle officers get a 5.5% hazard pay bonus.

The plan to transfer 40 patrol officers to traffic comes a year after Police Chief Bernard C. Parks ordered patrol officers to spend more time enforcing traffic laws. Even so, last week’s report by the city Transportation Department stated that traffic accidents increased 4% from 1997 to 1999, reversing a previously downward trend.