What will make PCH safer? Thank you, Malibu Times, for finally asking me.
My answer? Actual law enforcement! “The city doesn’t have the money,” last week’s article states. Are the misguided leaders of Malibu actually expecting us to believe the city can afford tens of millions of dollars to buy the Chili Cook-Off site but cannot afford to protect the lives and safety of its very citizens and visitors it has sworn to protect?
The stunning lack of priority demonstrated by not first establishing a reasonable law enforcement budget fund before making such a costly and unproductive purchase is amazing. Instead of the city confessing its ineptitude by saying that we can’t afford necessary law enforcement, why not use some common sense? After all, the city never gave up on the Cook-Off site purchase. I’m thinking we could impose stiffer fines along the Malibu stretch of PCH, given its special circumstances.
Stopped operational vehicles and those “trolling” for parking spots on PCH should be fined a fee greater than that of the $500 for littering. I think $750 is a good fine. I can count five idiots doing this just as I drove between Trancas and Bush Drive one time. That is a minimum of $3,750 in fines on one pass.
How about a fine for the crazy people that drag children and pets across PCH in front of Malibu Seafood? Jay walking is a crime. Threatening the lives of other drivers by acting like a suicidal, self-entitled moron, should result in a fine of at least $1,000 per person. If there is an adult with children they should be fined and reported to CPS for endangering the children’s lives. This easily generates $20,000 in fines weekly, more than paying for an officer stationed there and other prime locations.
As the violators pay for the officers, drivers will be aware of the added presence, reducing the overall tendency towards dangerous driving habits. Drivers do foolish things when they have no fear of being caught. Case in point! How many of you hit your brakes, even when going the speed limit, after seeing a real live officer? Empty patrol cars are analogous to the mind set of our City Council, attempting to effect change without being fully present.
Jannette Frazier