A $191 "Give"

photo by Maruthu

What can you do with $191? Get yourself an iPhone? Spend it at A&F store? Bring your date out for a nice dinner? Or maybe pay for a ticket issues by the LAPD? Yes, if you jay-walked and get caught, your fund for the iPhone, shirt or date could end up in the city account.

According to LA Times article, LAPD started the new enforcement after Thanksgiving, and if you are in downtown LA and not obeying the traffic laws, you can be the next person going home with the $191 jay-walking ticket. Police said it was about accident and crime prevention. Last year 3 people were hit by car during the year-end holiday season, 2 of them were blamed on the pedestrians. Besides that, thieves/robbers tend to run across the street to target their victims, according to LAPD.

Punishing jay-walkers is important, they're not only risking their own life, but also other commuters, but at a price-tag of $191? I think that's ridiculous! LAPD should increase enforcement in reducing crimes.