82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

LOS ANGELES - An 82-year-old woman received a $114 ticket for taking too long to cross a street. Mayvis Coyle said she began shuffling with her cane across Foothill Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley when the light was green, but was unable to make it to the other side before it turned red.

She said the motorcycle officer who ticketed her on Feb. 15 told her she was obstructing traffic.

"I think it's completely outrageous," said Coyle, who described herself as a Cherokee medicine woman. "He treated me like a 6-year-old, like I don't know what I'm doing."

Los Angeles police Sgt. Mike Zaboski of the Valley Traffic Division said police are cracking down on people who improperly cross streets because pedestrian accidents are above normal. He said he could not comment on Coyle's ticket other than to say that it is her word against that of the citing officer, identified only as Officer Kelly.

"I'd rather not have angry pedestrians," Zaboski said. "But I'd rather have them be alive."

Others, however, supported Coyle's contention that the light in question doesn't give people enough time to cross the busy, five-lane boulevard.

"I can go halfway, then the light changes," said Edith Krause, 78, who uses an electric cart because she has difficulty walking.

On Friday, the light changed too quickly even for high school students to make it across without running. It went from green to red in 20 seconds.

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel said she has asked transportation officials to figure out how to accommodate elderly people.

"We should look at those areas with predominantly seniors and accommodate their needs in intersections" she said.

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

That's terrible--I mean, use your brain!!!

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

I guess helping her across the street was out of the question.

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

Posted by Christine

I guess helping her across the street was out of the question.

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

That's outrageous!

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

that makes me so sad. my grandma is 86 and lives in Queens and can never get across before it changes. I worry about her so much trying to cross Queens Blvd.

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

it would serve the city right if that woman sued them for endangering her welfare by not giving her enough time to cross the street.

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

That poor woman! How ridiculous and embarassing (and RUDE of that cop!)

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

OMG..how terrible!

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

What a A hole!!

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

Posted by baghag

it would serve the city right if that woman sued them for endangering her welfare by not giving her enough time to cross the street.

Re: 82 Year Old Woman Get's Ticket.....

That's terrible