A California dad was arrested this month over his desperate bid to make a dangerous intersection near a children’s park safer.
Joseph Brandlin, 44, installed 30-inch high signs and painted the word “STOP” on the ground — just weeks after his son was nearly caught up in a crash, which he described as the “last straw,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
“I was almost done and no one was going to know anything,” Brandlin told officials at a city council meeting on March 17.
Brandlin took drastic action when he and other residents unsuccessfully lobbied city officials for the intersection to be turned into a four-way stop.
Brandlin, who spent approximately $1,000 on the renovation, was busted around 2 a.m. on March 14 when cops saw the father crossing the street as he was carrying the signage.
He branded the decision “mind-boggling,” citing other four-way stops in the city and now risks jail after being charged with grand theft and vandalism over $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