Activist Arrested for DIY Crosswalk Painting in LA

Thu Dec 11 2025 15:26:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Frustrated by slow city responses, LA activists take paint into their own hands for pedestrian safety, resulting in one arrest.

In Los Angeles, an activist named Jonathan Hale was arrested for vandalism after he painted a crosswalk at an unsafe intersection, as part of the group People's Vision Zero. The action aimed to improve pedestrian safety in an area overlooked by city officials. Hale expressed frustration over the mayor's lack of response to dangerous intersections, emphasizing that such actions stem from necessity when communities feel ignored. The group encourages safer streets and aims to collaborate with the city, yet Hale’s arrest highlights ongoing tensions between grassroots activism and municipal regulations.

In a push for pedestrian safety and frustration with slow city action, activists in Los Angeles have taken matters into their own hands. Jonathan Hale, part of the group People’s Vision Zero, was arrested for vandalism after painting crosswalk lines at a dangerous intersection without a permit.

Hale's DIY 'paint party' aimed to highlight the urgency of making streets safer for pedestrians, as they believe the city has been unresponsive to their concerns. In a viral video, Hale, wearing a safety vest, was seen being detained by police while fellow activists defended his actions as necessary.

The mayor's office has been informed about our needs for safer crosswalks, yet we still see delays,” Hale stated post-arrest. He aims to push the city for immediate improvements rather than spending taxpayer money to erase their initiative.

The city responded, indicating a willingness to collaborate with residents to expedite crosswalk installations. However, tensions remain between grassroots campaigns and municipal regulations, illuminating the challenges faced by the community in advocating for their safety.