A longtime El Segundo resident was arrested earlier this month after installing unauthorized stop signs and painting a crosswalk near Acacia Park, a children's park that reopened in 2021. Joseph Brandlin, 44, took action after months of unsuccessful attempts to persuade city officials to address safety concerns at the intersection of Loma Vista Street and Acacia Avenue.
Brandlin and other residents submitted a petition with roughly 50 signatures requesting additional stop signs, but the city determined the intersection did not meet traffic volume requirements for the upgrades. Residents argue the city's standards do not reflect real-world conditions, particularly with increased pedestrian activity near the park.
'There’s a park right there, and it’s a magnet for children,' said Gary Sanders, a 62-year-old resident. He noted that drivers traveling downhill often gain speed, posing risks to pedestrians, especially on weekends and after school. 'A tragedy could occur,' Sanders said. 'I wonder if a tragedy does have to occur for the city to do something about it.'
The city conducted a traffic evaluation but did not notify residents or provide visible evidence of the assessment, according to Brandlin. The intersection is currently a two-way stop, but residents argue additional safety measures are necessary due to the park's proximity and heavy foot traffic.