Photo: Toa55 / iStock / Getty Images
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday advanced a list of recommendations aimed at combating street racing and intersection takeovers.
Council members voted 12-1 to approve the recommendations, with Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez voting against the matter.
Among the efforts, the Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles Police Department will begin establishing a pilot program to address street racing and takeovers at the following top five intersections in each LAPD Bureau:
-- The Central Bureau identified Grand Avenue and Fourth Street, Grand Avenue and Second Street, Grand Avenue and Third Street, North Meyers and Kearney streets, and Figueroa Avenue and Second Street;
-- The South Bureau identified Crenshaw Boulevard and Florence Avenue, Manchester Boulevard and San Pedro Street, Hoover Avenue and Century Boulevard, Western Avenue and Century Boulevard, and Normandie and Gage avenues;
-- The Valley Bureau identified Balboa and Foothill boulevards, Bledsoe Street and Bradley Avenue, Balboa and San Fernando Mission boulevards, Glenoaks Boulevard and Polk Street; and Yamell Street and Foothill Boulevard; and
-- The West Bureau identified Lincoln Boulevard and Manchester Avenue, Western Avenue and Washington Boulevard, Mulholland and Corda drives, Fairfax Avenue and Pico Boulevard, and Pacific Coast Highway and Temescal Canyon.
Officials said the effort would employ two main approaches to curb street racing and intersection takeovers -- engineering and enforcement measures.
The LADOT identified four available options to enhance intersections: implementing raised hardened centerlines, Bott's Dots or raised pavement markers, rumble strips and the installation of gutters at intersections. However, the department noted that raised hardened centerlines may be the best approach as the other options could negatively impact other vehicles, as well as bicyclists and motorcycles.
According to a report from the city administrative officer, the total cost to implement the measures would be roughly $80,000 -- and LADOT would need to determine installation plans. The report notes the cost of the initial work could be covered in the current fiscal year.
On the enforcement side, the LAPD would request funding for the purchase and installation of cameras at the intersections. The total cost has not been determined, but the department noted it would incur sworn overtime costs of about $80,000 for enforcement efforts.
Both departments were also instructed to provide an analysis of the pilot program and how effective it is once it's up and running.
The LAPD will also conduct a follow-up report, identifying 50 locations throughout the city that have continuous issues with street racing and takeovers. The LADOT will then provide a report regarding possible funding for the use of cameras at those 50 locations.
In recent years, the cities of Compton, Paramount and Oakland have adopted some of the same measures to address street racing and intersection takeovers, according to the LAPD. Portland, Georgia, St. Louis and Detroit have also taken or are considering similar measures.
Hernandez told City News Service that in her First District, residents are impacted by drivers taking over the roads and posing a threat to public safety, but she could not fully support a plan she characterized as being more response-based than preventive. She said the city should invest more to implement safe street measures.
The recommendations stem from a motion introduced in 2022 by council members Monica Rodriguez, John Lee, Bob Blumenfield and Kevin de León.