Pedestrians take steps toward safety

DOWNTOWN — The Windsor Road crosswalk is a dangerous path for businessman Barry Wishengrad and his employees who stroll it to conduct dealings between two Brand Boulevard car dealerships.

Some of the flashing lights don’t work for the crosswalk, where it’s not uncommon for motorists to speed and not yield for pedestrians.

“I have walked this crosswalk and almost been hit two dozen times and so have my employees,” said Wishengrad, general manager of Glendale Nissan and Infiniti. “It’s just a bad situation and it’s unfortunate people don’t stop for pedestrians as they are walking across the street.”

He notified Glendale police about the unsafe crosswalk after a motorist and passenger heckled and almost hit him a few weeks ago while walking it.

“That was the icing on the cake when I called them,” he said.

Police on Wednesday stepped up enforcement of Windsor and Brand, where they cited motorists who failed to stop for a police officer dressed in plain clothes as he used the crosswalk.

A pedestrian was struck at the same intersection at least four years ago, Sgt. Dennis Smith said. But police have not received many complaints about the intersection, he said.

But on Wednesday, several speeding motorists flew by the officer during the enforcement while other drivers stopped just in time to avoid hitting him.

Officers cited seven motorists for failing to stop for pedestrians, Sgt. Mike Glassick said. He added that police may have cited more drivers during the enforcement, but they were called away to respond to another call.

Two pedestrians were cited for jaywalking, Glassick said. Two other citations for driving without a valid license and using a cell phone were also issued.

Wishengrad said he often warns his employees and customers to be alert and watch out for speeding motorists while in the crosswalk.

Employees Roxanne Lopez and Casi Aguilar often use the crosswalk as pathway to both dealerships.

The pair said they also have been almost hit by motorists. During one close-call, Aguilar recalled quickly pulling Lopez from nearly being hit by a car.

Motorists, they said, drive about 30 to 40 mph on Brand Boulevard, where the speed limit is 25 mph.

The pair said the addition of speed signs at the intersection could help motorists to slow down.

“The pedestrians are not the problem,” Wishengrad said. “These [motorists] don’t stop and they just don’t care.”