Activist Arrested for Painting Unsafe Los Angeles Crosswalks

Sat Dec 13 2025 12:31:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Frustrated by the slow response to unsafe intersections, Jonathan Hale and his group took to the streets to paint crosswalks, resulting in his arrest for vandalism.

In Los Angeles, a group of activists, dissatisfied with the city's inaction on unsafe crosswalks, undertook unpermitted painting of crosswalks, leading to the arrest of one member. The initiative highlighted the ongoing struggle between citizen activism and bureaucratic processes amid traffic safety concerns.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Frustrated by the city's delays in improving pedestrian safety, activists have taken matters into their own hands by painting crosswalks at dangerous intersections. One activist, Jonathan Hale, was arrested for vandalism during a recent event organized by his group, People's Vision Zero.

In a video released online, Hale is seen wearing a yellow safety vest as he is detained by police while working at a four-way crossing in West Los Angeles. An officer addresses him, stating, “You’re vandalizing city property without a permit.” Supporters in the background express their discontent, arguing that Hale was simply advocating for safer streets.

The guerrilla painting initiatives have emerged as a response to perceived negligence by the city’s authorities, with Hale and others rapidly applying bright white crosswalk markings, which they assert are compliant with city codes. This grassroots approach echoes efforts from the Crosswalk Collective, another local advocacy group.

Following his arrest, Hale criticized the city’s obligation to spend taxpayer money to remove these crosswalks, which he believes could have been addressed proactively by city leaders. This could have been avoided if the mayor's office addressed a pressing safety issue sooner, Hale stated.

Despite ongoing discussions with the office of Mayor Karen Bass and the Department of Transportation, Hale’s calls for urgent action have largely gone unheeded, prompting him to continue his advocacy. He emphasized that unless there is public acknowledgment from the city about the issue at hand, his group will persist in their efforts.

In response, Mayor Bass's office claimed to offer collaboration opportunities aimed at enhancing street safety and acknowledged the importance of community involvement. However, they maintained that Hale's actions are contrary to established laws aimed at regulating city infrastructure.

The situation showcases the complex dynamics between grassroots activism and government processes, as activists like Hale seek immediate solutions to enhance public safety in their communities.