XML Feeds
i return to santa monica and do not get a ticket
by basd 
I finally ended my boycott of the evilly city of Santa Monica and once again had a please dinner with my daughter on the Santa Monica pier.? I gave a $5 tip to a street musician who was playing outside the Marisol terrace where we were eating.? The evening was pleasant, Santa Monica was surprisingly crowded with tourists and/or locals. Kids were splashing about ankle deep in the surf, the overcast sky and chilly January conditions notwithstanding.
Well, as noted from earlier posts, on my last visit I was given a ticket by a foot patrolman for blocking the intersection ... a ticket that in my view was not merited (the car behind me was blocking the intersection, not me); and in additional was as much the responsibility of law enforcement, which was causing the blockage, as the driver(s).
This visit I noticed a significantly different law enforcement approach: many intersections featured one or more traffic officers holding drivers out of the intersections or flagging them in as conditions required.? Probably reduced traffic revenues, but a much more user-friendly approach to downtown Santa Monica.
Don't know if this was an occasional staffing because a large number of drivers was expected for the weekend, or if it is a regular approach, but it certainly is better than leaving angry and vowing never to return.
Oh, but it does make me nervous when the light is red and the traffic officer is apparently waiving me into the intersection!
01/16/12 09:53:00 am, Trackback address for this post
Trackback URL (right click and copy shortcut/link location)