West Los Angeles Community Police Advisory Board
A Partnership Between the Community and the LAPD

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C-PAB TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES

HIGHLIGHTS
( New Business, Guest Speakers Only )

To request a full version of the
Traffic Committee Minutes
send an email to:
wlatraffic@earthlink.net

June 10, 2003
8:15am - 10:00am

West L.A. Police Station
Roll Call Room

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8:31 a.m. Meeting called to order by the chair Robert A. Ringler.

Attendees:

Introduction of Guests

Robert introduces Captain Michael Chambers and Captain Clay Farrell from West Los Angeles Community Police Station and Captain Bill Williams from West Traffic Division, LAPD. He also introduces today's guest speaker, David S. Cunningham III, the Vice President of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners.

New Business

Introduction of Guest Speaker-David S. Cunningham III thanks the Committee for inviting him to speak. He feels that this is a very effective group. This group is the perfect example of the type of partnership that we are seeking within the Department and the Community.

One of the issues he would like to discuss is the Pursuit Policy. The numbers of injuries that had arisen with the Pursuit Policy reported by committees such as this one led the Commission to take a closer look to see how they can change, how they can make the streets safer, and have a rational and reasonable policy. Due to this, there are eight requirements that an Officer had to go through in deciding whether to pursue. Based on numerous studies and comments from people like those on this Committee, the policy was changed and will be implemented within the next week. This policy is not to pursue if it is a mere infraction. We do not want to restrict our Officers from enforcing the law. If there is a reasonable cause for a pursuit based on probable cause, then the Officers with the help of Air Support and other resources will engage the suspect. We do not have to create a risk out on the streets. This policy is a good example of the type of work that this Committee does and the impact that it has had on our Commission. I wanted to come down to take this opportunity to thank you and to let you know that the Commission is here to listen to you. Again, I want to thank you for your efforts and we will continue to work together with you in the future.

Robert asked David if he would be so kind and look into developing a policy that would allow people from this Committee or other volunteers to be able to transport the Decoy Car and the Speed Trailer. Thus allowing for an Officer to be on the streets, fighting crime and enforcing traffic laws.

Walt Lykosh asked besides looking into a policy to allow us to assist you in transporting the Decoy Car and Speed Trailer, we also need more Decoy Cars. They are very effective in calming traffic in our communities.

Commissioner Cunningham commented on the moving of the Decoy Cars is a Risk Management issue and if we can find a way to resolve that, then there shouldn't be any problems in having volunteers move the Decoy Car and Speed Trailer. He will commit himself to investigate this issue; however, in light of that we are facing a very restrictive severe budgetary fiscal policy. We need your help in getting the word out that we need more police officers and resources.

Jose Reines reminded the Commissioner that in the Hillside Community, they have a lot of accidents and since there is a shortage of officers, having Decoy Cars would minimize the danger in the Community. Commissioner Cunningham asked how the Community Speed Watch Program worked. Robert responded that as one of the originators of the Program that it works fine as long as the volunteers are available. It takes four people at a particular location where speeding is a problem to make the Program work. Initially, there was a lot of enthusiasm, but after a while, it's harder and harder to find volunteers to work the Program.

Samantha Greenberg asked when the last time this Community Speed Watch Program was enforced. Robert commented that is has been at least two years since our community has used this program. Robert went on to suggest that the Volunteer Surveillance Team known as VST could pick up the slack and get a list of problem areas from the different communities in our area.

Susan Strick from the City Attorney's Office asked if a study could be done to see the impact of the new policy on crime. David Cunningham really appreciated this question. The Commission made a study of all major cities and the accident rates. We did not look at the consequence of solving a crime. What we did find is that LAPD had a significantly higher accident rate based on our policy at the time. We compared our policy with more restrictive policies of other cities that had lower accident rates. The accident rate is the focus of this study and new policy. Susan also asked if the second aspect of the study could be done, which is to look at the impact on crime. David replied that this is a good idea and he will discuss this with his fellow Commissioners.

Stan Arcader said that when the Decoy Cars are deployed and the remote triggers the light bar at the top, it serves as a very effective deterrent in reducing speed.

Jose Reines wanted the Commissioner to know that members of this Committee has been working on a pilot project with LADOT to implement a Speed Radar Program and we would like the Commissioner's support in pursuing this project.

Steve Twining noted that there are over twice as many officers in New York City. He also asked how much crime would be reduced if we added the 350 additional officers to our Department that have been requested. David responded that there has been a 24% reduction in serious crime since Chief William J. Bratton became Police Chief. This has a lot to do with wise deployment, time of year, and visibility. As visibility of Officers increase, crime will decrease. He believes a significant impact on crime reduction would result if more officers were to be deployed.

Commissioner David Cunningham left his business card and invited the Committee to e-mail him with any traffic issues. Robert thanked David for coming on behalf of the Committee and hopes that he will make his Police Commission Meeting on time.

Approval of Minutes

Jose Reines noted a correction on Page 6, second paragraph, of the Minutes for the meeting on May 13, 2003. It states that "Jose Reines said we need more…" Instead of "more," it should say "an alternate to Speed Tables on Mandeville Canyon and if we could access some of the money to study that."

The Minutes are moved to be approved as amended. Marcia Selz seconds. The minutes are approved as amended.

Community Traffic Reports

Benedict Canyon-Joshua Berman mentioned that there was a meeting last night at the Benedict Canyon Association. The scheduled closure of Benedict Canyon from Mulholland to Hutton Drive has been postponed until September because of budgetary constraints. Pauline Chan will update on the issue of the edgelines that are planned for Benedict Canyon. Other than that, the same problems persist.

Beverly Glen-Jim Lundy states that there are the same speeding problems daily. There is also congestion and high levels of noise from speeding vehicles.

Bienveneda Avenue/Pacific Palisades-Patti Post called in previously/excused.

Castle Heights Neighborhood Association-Rich Levier informed the Committee that Castle Heights is located near the 10 Freeway and Robertson Boulevard. They are involved with Pauline Chan who is facilitating the Century City Expansion Traffic Mitigation Program. It is an ongoing project. Maps have been drawn, plans have been made, and feedback comes from the surrounding community. Steve Twining asked what the Association was asking for out of this project. Rich responded that he would like to see a gate surround his entire community and keep everyone else out.

Glenroy Avenue and Sunset Boulevard-E-Ho Lin not present but Pauline Chan updated the Committee by saying that LADOT will be installing an edgeline on the north side of Sunset going westbound to Glenroy at the affected curb lane.

Holmby Hills-Marcia Selz tells the Committee that they are still in a contentious situation with Harvard Westlake School and whose traffic has a negative impact within the Holmby Hills area and on North Beverly Glen Boulevard. They have formed a Traffic/Noise Task Force with the school, which includes three people from the Association and three people from the school, which will make suggestions to the school so the school will mitigate some of the traffic problems such as mandated carpooling, staggered start time, smaller buses, etc. She will keep the Committee updated. She wanted to thank Officer Reynolds who helped her with the Hollywood map problem. Officer Dennis Hinman, regarding the map issue, said that over a decade ago, the City sued those who were selling maps on Sunset, but lost the case. However, they are not allowed to put their signs advertising their business on City or private property. Officer Hinman suggested they contact their Senior Lead Officer, Michael Wang. Susan Strick from the City Attorney's Office said that if they are using an A-frame or sandwich sign, get the address of the property the sign is on and contact Building and Safety.

Mountaingate-Ernie Frankel informs the Committee that they are still having terrible speeding problems with cars going over seventy miles per hour. The police have been patrolling and clocked those speeding down the hill and have been able to catch the speed limit violators. Ernie asked Pauline Chan about the availability of the LED Speed Display Signs which tell people the speed they are traveling at and the Speed Radar Program. He volunteers Mountaingate to be a candidate if any testing needs to be done for these two programs. Ernie also went on to say that we as members of this Committee always take for granted what Robert, the Chair of this Committee, does for us. He is a remarkable public servant. Robert thanked Ernie for his comments.

Roscomare-Steve Twining informed the Committee that the State Assembly Bill 872 has moved on to a State Senate Transportation Committee. This Bill will give cities the opportunity to have more control over the speed limits within the city. This will have an impact on collector roads, especially in residential areas. He asked Fortuna Ippoliti from Council District Five to comment on the apartment building on Roscomare and Mulholland. Fortuna will take that on in her report.

Wilshire Corridor-Marilyn Lewis not present.

Mandeville Canyon-Jose Reines asked who he should contact if there are objects in the road, such as potholes, that cause traffic and safety problems. Robert replied that he should contact Public Works and Street Services, but he does not have the number for the department at the time. A member of the Committee suggested Jose call 3-1-1, which provides contact to all City services.

South Robertson Neighborhood Council-Mel Leventhal told the Committee that the City has installed crosswalks on Robertson, south of Pico; however, they do not seem to be operating properly. Instead of flashing a yellow light only when a pedestrian is in the walkway, it flashes all the time. This may cause a problem because drivers will not pay attention to the lights if they are continuously flashing. Pauline made a note of the problem and will pass it on to the appropriate persons.

Westwood Hills-Debbie Nussbaum told the Committee the intersection of Cashmere and Sepulveda is a very dangerous intersection. It is almost impossible to make a left turn from Cashmere onto Sepulveda because there are speeding vehicles and parked delivery trucks that block the view of oncoming traffic so getting out of the intersection is extremely dangerous and I appeal to this Committee for some form of remedy.

Santa Monica Canyon/BOCA-Leslie Hope informed the Committee that they are still trying to get their traffic study and hopefully that is underway.

Others:
South Bundy-Charlie told the Committee that there is a serious problem at the intersection of North Bundy as it approaches Sunset Boulevard. He is recommending that the intersection be re-striped so the right lane is a right-turn only lane, the center lane is a through lane, and there be a left-turn lane. There is a lot of congestion and gridlock at the intersection and that also needs to be corrected.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The folowing items were also discussed:

Neighborhood Council/Community Council Reports

Department of Transportation Report

Handicap Placard Committee

Police Department Report

Deputy Mayor's Office Report

Council District 5 Report

Council District 11 Report

General Discussion

Announcement of Next Meeting

Meeting Adjourned

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NOTE:

To request a full version of the
Traffic Committee Minutes
send an email to:

wlatraffic@earthlink.net

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