Q: Why did the Santa Monican cross the road?
A: Trick question. It can't be done.

We all should be able to get across the street safely. Yet city policy for a decade before my election was to remove marked crosswalks.

I campaigned on the slogan "Paint a Crosswalk to the 21st Century." I'm proud that since my election we've installed our city's first 21st Century crosswalks, with pedestrian-activated flashing lights.

The Pico Boulevard Streetscape was just the start. Next were Ocean Avenue, Neilson Way and Montana Avenue, all now made safer with curb extensions, pedestrian islands and more visible crosswalks.

Phase II, now almost complete, includes Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, Broadway, 26th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard. A third phase awaits better budget times, but may this be only the beginning of a city-wide shift toward safer and more friendly streets!

"Where are those crosswalks (City Planning) has been studying so assiduously? Nary a new one has been painted, and the existing ones are so worn that drivers barely notice them.

"...Kevin McKeown, who is active in neighborhood groups on both sides of the Montana divide, plans to run for the City Council and says he is pledged to support a more vigorous crosswalk program: 'This may sound pedestrian, but I want to bring back safe crosswalks.' Let's hear it for the pro-crosswalk slate."