A California father found himself in handcuffs this month after taking matters into his own hands to improve safety at a perilous intersection near a local children’s park.
Joseph Brandlin, 44, took action by installing 30-inch high signs and painting “STOP” on the road surface. This move came shortly after his son narrowly escaped an accident at the location—a situation he referred to as the “final straw,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
During a city council meeting on March 17, Brandlin expressed his frustration, saying, “I was almost done and no one was going to know anything.”
Brandlin resorted to this bold measure after he and fellow community members failed to convince city officials to transform the intersection into a four-way stop.
Having invested about $1,000 into the project, Brandlin was apprehended around 2 a.m. on March 14 when officers spotted him crossing the street with the signs in tow.
Describing the authorities’ response as “mind-boggling,” Brandlin highlighted the existence of other four-way stops in the city. He now faces potential jail time, charged with grand theft and vandalism for damages exceeding $400.
“I was arrested and charged with two felony counts,” Brandlin said. “I was treated like a serious criminal with an effort that was motivated solely by the concern of the children of this neighborhood.”
Despite jail fears, Brandlin has no regrets — if his actions mean fatalities are going to be avoided.
“I’ll do it again if that’s what it takes. Because I’m not gonna wait for somebody to die,” he told CBS News.
Brandlin said the intersection is located 100 feet from a rebuilt park that became a “popular destination for families and children,” estimating the ages of the youngsters to be around 3 to 7 years old.
Brandlin told the LA Times that he had witnessed several near misses involving kids — including his son, who was almost hit by a bike.
“That was the last straw,” he told the LA Times.
He also presented 73 letters from households backing his safety measures to city council leaders, but no action has yet been taken.
“The city just wasn’t listening,” he scoffed.
Brandlin is due to appear in court in June and officials have since removed the temporary stop signs and covered up the paintwork
