Mighty and Getting Mightier, SAFE Year in Review 2023
Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE)‘s accomplishments in 2023 are best summed up by a comment made by a legislative staffer, “You guys are everywhere. I thought for sure you were a huge organization. You might be small, but you punch way above your weight.”
By the Numbers
Our team is very proud of what we produced in 2023 and all the accomplishments and progress made working alongside all our epic supporters, volunteers, donors, and sponsors. Let’s look at our accomplishments by the numbers and some of the highlights.
Policy and Legislation
15 pieces of legislation supported or opposed
2 bills co-sponsored: AB 645 and AB 825
9 pieces of legislation SAFE supported were signed into law
Percentage of legislation SAFE opposed that was defeated — 100%
Number of interns working with SAFE on Policy and Legislation actions — 4
Highlight: AB 645: Speed Safety Camera Bill Signed Into Law!
After 4 years of intense work, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 645, authored by Asm. Laura Friedman and cosponsored by SAFE, Streets for All, and Walk San Francisco! This means that starting sometime this year, the 6 approved pilot cities in California — Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose — will join 205 other communities in 21 states already using speed safety cameras to automatically ticket speeding drivers.
Advocacy Projects
Number of advocacy projects/campaigns worked on: 21
Number of advocacy actions: 51
The following are highlights of some of our advocacy actions.
Highlight: The Angelino Heights Community Prevails!
SAFE has been assisting the Angelino Heights community to organize and demand safer streets for all in their neighborhood. Angelino Heights residents identified their primary area of concern, the roads surrounding Marion Park. These roads have developed a reputation as popular spots for illegal street racing and reckless driving. Over the last year, community feedback was collected by SAFE, shared with Los Angeles engineers, and developed into actual infrastructure to help deter reckless driving in the area.
Highlight: LA River Bike Path Rehab Funding Approved
As part of SAFE’s Griffith Park advocacy, Cyclists will soon have smooth pedaling ahead on the LA River Bike Path near the Ferraro soccer fields. These speedy repairs (at least for the City of Los Angeles) are thanks to advocacy for the last year and a half by SAFE, the Pasadena Athletic Association, and the local cycling community. The rehabilitation process will address repairs such as long, deep fissures in the concrete, potholes, and large bumps.
Following the horrific tragedy of four Pepperdine University seniors and sorority sisters being killed near a sorority house on PCH by a driver speeding at 104 MPH in October 2023, the community group Fix PCH was formed by Captain Seetoo of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department. SAFE is a member of this group and has been proud to work alongside some incredible community members to raise awareness of the need for immediate change on the 21 miles of PCH through Malibu. With the community, we spearheaded the installation of a memorial to all 58 lives lost since 2010 and have held 2 events, attended City Council meetings, and met with Caltrans and other authorities. Our work is far from done, and we will not give up on fixing PCH.
We are calling on Caltrans to slow down PCH and fix it. We call on them to come to the table with other civic leaders and organizations already there pledging change and taking action.
Highlight: Ghost Tire Memorials
While working on advocacy around AB 645, SAFE continued to become more and more aware of families struggling with the devastation of losing a family member to reckless speeding. Two families in particular stood out as wanting to make a difference and raise awareness of reckless speeding. SAFE worked with their families to advocate for the passing of AB 645, and through that process, the idea of a memorial to commemorate and draw attention to the increasing amount of fatalities due to speeding was born: the Ghost Tire Memorial. The Ghost Tire Memorial was inspired by the Ghost Bike (also referred to as a Ghost Cycle or White Cycle), a bicycle roadside memorial placed where a cyclist had been killed or severely injured, usually by the driver of a motor vehicle. Apart from being a memorial, it is usually intended to remind passing motorists to share the road. To find out more about Ghost Tire Memorials, go to www.GhostTire.org.
Highlight: Bike Path Report Card
SAFE launched its Bike Path Report Card Project this year. This project aims to evaluate the safety and quality of bike paths throughout LA County. Volunteers choose specific sections of bike paths to grade and then ride those paths. They then complete a report card, grading the path in each listed category. The report cards identify problem areas and deficiencies on paths throughout the community as well as highlight the good ones.
Data collected will be used by SAFE in advocacy efforts to improve bike infrastructure. It will hold cities accountable for multimodal transportation options in their regions and aid them in making informed decisions on prioritizing upgrades to existing paths as well as adding them where needed.
In summary, the project allows cyclists and community members to get involved in shaping better biking in their neighborhoods. To volunteer for the Bike Path Report Card, contact us.
Media and Awareness
The total number of people reached with the message of the need for safer streets was 1.2 billion in 2023. This included local, national, and worldwide media coverage. Social media reached 1 million+ across all social media platforms, and the total individuals reached at SAFE events was 54,000.
Highlight: Dying-In Los Angeles 2023
In January 2023, Streets Are For Everyone produced its first report, Dying on the Streets of Los Angeles, looking at traffic violence trends, the numbers behind them, and other statistics related to traffic violence in LA City. It was an enlightening, fact-finding report, which was released at a Die-In protest staged on the steps of City Hall to call on the newly appointed Mayor and LA City Council to step up and do something effective about the tragic numbers of dead and seriously injured on the streets of Los Angeles.
Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition
The Streets, Art, SAFE Film Competition is a free competition we run for high school students every year. It is a unique program that engages and educates students on the subject of road safety through the medium of film. Students are tasked with researching a specific road safety topic and then making a Public Service Announcement on that topic. The competition is unique in that they have the option to be mentored by Hollywood filmmakers at every step of their creative process - from scripts to their rough edits. Students both learn themselves and create a valuable tool to educate their fellow - and earn incredible prizes for their work! With traffic being the #1 killer of youth (ages 5-14), this is one of SAFE’s ways to attack the problem in a creative, fun, and engaging way.
Number of students engaged in 2023: 430+
Number of schools that participated: 19
Number of final Public Service Announcement submissions: 64
The top 3 schools received grants to their Arts Departments, and students received individual cash prizes and awards for special categories.
All details about the competition are at www.StreetsArtSafe.org.
Check out our Best Street Safety PSA 1st Place Winner for 2023, produced by students at Castaic High School.
Finish The Ride and Finish The Run Events
Attendance: FTR Griffith Park: 1,841 (49% increase compared to 2022); FTR Santa Clarita: 601 (76% increase compared to 2022)
Total money raised for 2023: $159,000
You can find event details and register at www.FinishTheRide.org.
THANK YOU to all who attended and supported safer streets in Southern California! Our next Finish The Ride & Run Griffith Park event is on April 6th & 7th. You can register today at www.streetsareforeveryone.org/finish-the-ride-griffith-park.
SAFE Support
Number of individuals helped: 35
Number of SAFE Support clients becoming volunteers or advocates: 7
SAFE Support was the nation’s first support system for those who need a helping hand following a traffic collision. We provide resources, support, and help to victims, family, and friends. We assist with needs such as patient advocacy, medical issues, online police reports, emotional support, grief support, and assist telling their stories to make safer streets.
To learn more about SAFE Support, visit www.Safe-Support.org.
Highlight: Meet Darlene Smith
Following the tragic loss of her sister, Trina, to traffic violence last Christmas, Darlene has shown immense strength and support to her family after their incalculable loss. Still, she has volunteered countless hours to help make Los Angeles streets safer. Whether it’s traveling to Sacramento to bravely speak in support of the life-saving speed camera safety bill, AB 645, tirelessly collecting speed data on the street where her sister died, showing up for other families to support their Ghost Tire placements, or even volunteering with her family at our Finish The Ride and Run fundraising event, Darlene has given selflessly and consistently with a smile on her face. Thank you, Darlene, for never giving up; your dedication and determination to make a difference in your community are awe-inspiring.
Highlight: Meet Cindi Enamorado
Meet Cindi Enamorado, an advocate for SAFE and Street Racing Kills, who bravely stepped forward to champion safer streets after tragically losing her brother Raymond to traffic violence this past Spring. A steadfast advocate for needed changes on South Los Angeles streets, Cindi has gotten the word out, shown up, and supported our Ghost Tire Memorial projects aimed at honoring victims and bringing awareness to traffic violence. Though the loss of her brother Raymond is still fresh and difficult, Cindi has poured her grief and anger into volunteering and advocating for safer streets in communities that often don’t have a voice at the decision-making tables. Thank you, Cindi, for helping us with our Ghost Tire placement memorials, at events, telling your story to the press, and opening your heart up to other families affected by traffic violence.
Thank You for a Great Year!
I want to extend a huge thank you to all our incredible supporters, volunteers, faith leaders, SAFE Families, sponsors, and everyone who donated to our cause. You are why we continue to do what we do and how we are able to keep going.
While 2023 was a productive year for SAFE, the public health crisis of traffic violence still exists, which is why we can’t afford to slow down. Our supporters are essential to helping shape a future where streets are safer for all road users.
You can help us accomplish more by joining the movement or donating today. Let’s make safer streets for all.
