Letters: Squawking about L.A.’s jaywalkers

Re “Over the line on jaywalking,” Editorial, Dec. 18

Now that jaywalking ticketing has moved west of skid row, there’s suddenly an outcry.

This is not a new issue to homeless advocates, since jaywalking ticketing became the centerpiece of the Safer City Initiative in 2006. At that time the city put extra officers in skid row to hand out about 1,000 tickets a month to homeless and low-income residents who could never afford to pay the fines. The recipients of these tickets risk losing housing and government benefits when they go to warrant.

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles runs a clinic in skid row where pro bono attorneys spent about 20,000 hours “defending” against these tickets because the city refused to dismiss the citations prior to court, even with proof of community service hours.

Instead of using taxpayer money for the reprehensible effort to criminalize poverty, the city should expand affordable housing and services for low-income Angelenos.

Barbara Schultz

Los Angeles

The writer is an attorney with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

I’m wondering if any of these jaywalkers who look at the countdown and say, “Gee, 10 seconds left, I can make it if I walk fast,” ever take into consideration the drivers trying to make a legal turn with the light. The drivers end up either waiting for the next green light or end up going through a red light.

Does anyone think about the risks these jaywalkers pose for other people?

I applaud the police officers for cracking down on these lawbreakers who cross when a red hand and a countdown are flashing — and yes, these people are lawbreakers. The unfortunate thing is that cars are expected to stop for these people even when they are jaywalking and putting others at risk.

I have seen accidents caused by jaywalkers who get off free while the drivers take the financial hit.

Phyllis Woods

North Hollywood

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