California Dad Faces Felony Charges for Installing Stop Signs for Safety

Brandlin, concerned for his son's safety, decided to take action after the city council rejected his request to install stop signs at the intersection of Loma Vista Street and Acacia Avenue.

The intersection, located near a children's park, presented a danger due to the speed of vehicles and lack of visibility. Brandlin spent $1,000 on two commercial-grade reflective signs, identical to those used by the city, and installed them himself.

The incident occurred at 1:30 a.m. on March 14, when the police stopped him while he was installing the second sign. He now faces three charges, including a felony for vandalism over $400.

Brandlin first tried the official route, submitting a petition signed by about 50 neighbors. The city council, after conducting a traffic study, determined that the volume threshold required to justify the signs was not met.

Neighbor Gary Sanders, a 30-year resident of the area, expressed his frustration: "I wonder if a tragedy does have to occur for the city to do something about it." The lack of municipal action led Brandlin to take matters into his own hands, installing the stop signs he considered necessary for the safety of the children.

The city council's decision not to install stop signs, despite the concerns of the residents, sparked controversy in the community.

Within 24 hours of his arrest, Brandlin gathered 73 letters of support from the community, which he presented at a city council meeting. The community's response demonstrates the shared concern for road safety in the area and support for Brandlin's actions.

His court date is scheduled for June. Brandlin's case has highlighted residents' frustration with the authorities' inaction on road safety.

The incident has sparked a debate about the responsibility of local authorities in protecting citizens and the importance of citizen participation in improving road safety.

In Sawtelle, residents painted their own crosswalks near Stoner Park, but the city removed them, then reversed course after public outcry.

In Koreatown, activists painted a crosswalk where a 9-year-old had been killed by a car. In Westwood, another resident received a vandalism citation for doing the same thing.

These incidents reflect a growing concern for road safety and the willingness of citizens to take action when they believe authorities are not acting adequately.

The accusation of Brandlin for a felony for vandalism has generated debate about the proportionality of the legal response to his actions.

The incident highlights the tension between the strict application of the law and the need to address the safety concerns of the community.

The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how authorities respond to citizen initiatives aimed at improving road safety, especially in areas where official measures are deemed insufficient.