California Highway Patrol officers are targeting Pacific Palisades residents with aggressive traffic enforcement that one officer claimed was ordered by Governor Newsom himself, despite official denials from the governor’s office.
Key Takeaways
- Governor Newsom’s office has denied claims that he ordered harsh traffic enforcement in Pacific Palisades following the devastating January 7 fire.
- Residents report being pulled over for minor infractions like rolling through flashing red lights and exceeding newly implemented low speed limits.
- Law enforcement presence has increased dramatically with LAPD staffing 16 checkpoints 24/7 and California Highway Patrol maintaining enhanced patrols.
- Pacific Coast Highway reopened on May 23 with a reduced 25 MPH speed limit, as officials claim the measures are for safety during recovery efforts.
- Some residents suspect the aggressive enforcement is a tactic to replace lost tax revenues or pressure property owners to sell in the fire-damaged area.
Enforcement Controversy Erupts in Fire-Ravaged Community
Residents of Pacific Palisades are facing what many describe as overzealous traffic enforcement in their community still reeling from the devastating January 7 fire. While the area has been largely closed off since the disaster destroyed much of the neighborhood, authorities have recently shifted their focus from preventing looting to aggressively ticketing residents for minor traffic violations. The enforcement surge coincides with the May 23 reopening of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), which officials touted as a significant milestone in recovery efforts but implemented with new restrictions including a dramatically reduced 25 MPH speed limit and added speed bumps.
Governor’s Office Denies Involvement Despite Officer’s Claim
At the center of the controversy is Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been accused of orchestrating the crackdown. According to a report from Breitbart News, a California Highway Patrol officer directly told a resident that “the governor is forcing us to do this” when questioned about the aggressive enforcement. However, when confronted with these allegations, a spokesman for Governor Newsom responded with a terse “Nope,” denying any directive from the governor to target residents with traffic citations. The conflicting accounts have left residents confused and frustrated about who is actually responsible for the enforcement strategy.
“California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) did not order police to enforce traffic violations harshly within the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, according to a spokesman on Sunday, despite claims to the contrary,” said spokesman
Massive Security Presence Raises Questions
The scale of the enforcement operation has raised eyebrows among community members. According to official statements, LAPD has maintained increased deployment in the Palisades, staffing all checkpoints 24/7, with the number of checkpoints increasing from five to sixteen. Access to the Palisades remains restricted to residents, business owners, employees, and contractors only. The California Highway Patrol has continued increased patrols throughout the area, with authorities warning that traffic fines can be doubled in active work zones. This heavy police presence in a relatively small area has led some to question whether the response is proportional.
“To the survivors of these fires: We have your back. As we continue rebuilding together, the State is committed to the security of neighborhoods and families who have been impacted,” said Governor Gavin Newsom
Residents Suspect Financial Motives Behind Enforcement
As traffic stops for minor infractions have become commonplace, some residents have developed theories about the true motivation behind the enforcement surge. Many suspect the aggressive ticketing campaign may be an attempt to offset tax revenue losses resulting from the fire’s destruction. Others have voiced more serious concerns, suggesting the enforcement might be part of a larger strategy to pressure property owners to sell their land, potentially benefiting developers or other interests. These suspicions have been fueled by the perceived disconnect between official safety justifications and the seemingly targeted nature of the enforcement.
“The reopening of Pacific Coast Highway marks an important step forward in our recovery effort in the Palisades, which is on track to be the fastest in state history. I thank Governor Newsom, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and partners at all levels of government for their partnership and collaboration as we work around the clock to get families home and businesses reopened,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
Officials Maintain Safety Is The Priority
Officials, including Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Newsom, continue to frame the measures as necessary for public safety during the recovery process. They point to the unique challenges of rebuilding after a major disaster and the need to prevent further incidents in an already vulnerable community. The reopening of PCH is being presented as a critical step in what they claim will be “the fastest recovery in state history.” However, the disconnect between these official statements and the experiences of residents being ticketed for minor infractions has only deepened community skepticism about the true intentions behind the enforcement surge.
“The governor is forcing us to do this,” stated California Highway Patrol officer
