The City Council this week voted unanimously to authorize the chief of police to enforce California’s traffic laws within Leisure World.
After the vote, many members of the public applauded. Traffic safety in Leisure World has been an issue for years.
That same night, the council also introduced an ordinance to change Seal Beach’s Municipal Code to say that the California Vehicle Code applies to privately owned streets of Leisure World. That ordinance will return to the council for a second reading. State law required a public hearing on the issue. Although the council carried out two actions, they did so by voting on a single resolution following a public hearing.
District Five Councilwoman Sandra Massa-Lavitt told the Sun after the meeting that having SBPD enforce traffic safety was necessary because Leisure World is private property and the senior community can’t impose fines. “And even when we do, people refuse to pay the fine.”
The Golden Rain Foundation, which governs Leisure World, made a formal request in a July 29 letter addressed to Mayor Tom Moore, asking to have the Seal Beach Police Department enforce traffic safety in the gated community. The letter was part of the City Council agenda package and available for any member of the public to download from the City of Seal Beach website.
According to the letter, signed by GRF President Linda Stone, the foundation’s Board of Directors voted on July 24 to formally ask the city to have the SBPD enforce traffic laws inside Leisure World.
During the public hearing, Sheila Singer of Leisure World held up a red flag. She explained that the Golden Rain Foundation had provided the flags for pedestrians to hold up as they crossed the street. Singer gave her flag to Interim Police Chief Joe Miller.
Her husband, Phil Singer, said they live in the number one crossroad in Leisure World. He said on many mornings and afternoons, people run through red lights at 45 miles an hour. He said Leisure World tried educating drivers and it didn’t work. He said something needed to be done before someone gets killed.
“This has been a long time coming for Leisure World,” said Golden Rain Foundation President Stone. She said it had been difficult to enforce traffic safety in the community. She said Leisure World has a significant number of “shareholders” that ignore traffic laws. (A “shareholder” is someone who purchased a share in the Golden Rain Foundation. A “resident” of Leisure World is an owner of a condominium in Leisure World. The vast majority of people living in Leisure World are “shareholders.)
“Our speed limit throughout Leisure World is 25 miles per hour,” Stone said. She said drivers in Leisure World often travel at 50 miles an hour or faster.
Michael Levitt, a past District Five City Council representative, said it felt strange being on the other side of the podium, prompting laughter from the people in the Chamber. Levitt urged the police to target drivers who endanger pedestrians.
Local activist Seth Eaker said, “This seems concerning.”
He said he didn’t know how the city enforces laws against drunk driving in Leisure World. He said if enforcing traffic laws did not have a significant financial impact on the city and the city had the capacity, then why aren’t the people of Leisure World getting the services.
Other members of the public from Leisure World also spoke in support of having the SBPD enforce traffic laws in Leisure World.
Following the hearing, District Five Councilwoman Massa-Lavitt said she had heard that day that there are 3 million trips a year through the gates of Leisure World.
District One Councilman Joe Kalmick asked if a traffic study would be required.
Massa-Lavitt said the Golden Rain Foundation hired a traffic engineer to make sure the streets and signage comply with the California Vehicle Code.
Golf carts
Old Town residents occasionally see people driving around the downtown area in golf carts. They are a more common sight in Leisure World. GRF President Stone estimated there were 500 to 700 golf carts
The new ordinance addresses the golf carts that are used by many Leisure World residents, according to the staff report submitted by Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos.
“Pursuant to the authority of Vehicle Code Section 21115 the City Council hereby designates the Leisure World streets as streets for the combined use of vehicles and golf carts,” according to the ordinance.
Mayor Thomas Moore reported in his District Two newsletter that golf cart owners in Leisure World wouldn’t have to register their vehicles since there is a golf course in the center of Leisure World and it complies with the California vehicle code which allows golf carts within a mile of a golf course. However, if a vehicle (including golf carts) violates the law (runs a stop sign or speeds), then that vehicle’s owner will be susceptible to a ticket from the City of Seal Beach.”
According to the Gallegos report, the new traffic enforcement ordinance will have no financial impact.
“This effort is related to public safety but will not impact Measure BB revenue,” according to the Gallegos report.
After the public hearing, Moore said he had heard from many residents about how dangerous it is to walk and drive around Leisure World.
