Street Barriers Erected to Reduce Traffic, Not Promote Racism

Regarding Al Martinez’s column on “Walls of Shame” (Feb. 26): Mr. Martinez, I am one of those white South Pasadenans about whom you write. I don’t know how Charles Erickson knows that the barrier at Alpha Street was racist, but he should be informed that it was erected by Los Angeles, not South Pasadena.

As for speeding cars, they are a problem here and everywhere. Via Del Rey resembles a boulevard, not a city street, and is therefore conducive to speeding. Fighting the inroads of heavy traffic is not unique to South Pasadena.

I am a transportation commissioner in South Pasadena and am against all street barriers, including the barrier on the street on which I live. This barrier separates my street from Pasadena. It was not erected as a racist barrier to keep out Pasadenans but a wrong-headed attempt to reduce traffic. All it did was divert traffic to other streets.

I signed the petition requesting that closure many years ago because I did not know any better. We live and learn. I fought very hard (and lost) to disallow street closures for the Gold Line light rail. I will try very hard to have all barriers removed, even though my neighbors will never speak to me again and my friends on Van Horne will not be pleased.

Racism is ugly and hurtful and downright stupid. Those who feed upon it, such as politicians and columnists, are repugnant. Those who tell little children that barriers were erected to keep them out are abominable.

BEATRICE SIEV

South Pasadena