Crime & Safety

Angeles Crest Motorists Feel 'Harassed' by CHP

The owner of Newcomb's Ranch and his son will meet with California Highway Patrol officers to discuss what some patrons deem aggressive ticketing of motorists.

Since the California Highway Patrol stepped up its enforcement patrolling the curvy, mountainous Angeles Crest Highway this summer, some patrons and the owner of a popular bar and restaurant believe the officers have gone too far.

“I understand there have been some fatalities, and numerous accidents, but there needs to be a balance,’’ said Newcomb’s Ranch manager Frederick Rundall III, whose father, a La Cañada physician, has owned the business since 2001.

Both Rundalls are meeting with CHP officers during the agency’s regular department meeting in two weeks to discuss what they believe to be aggressive ticketing.

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“A lot of our customers are coming into the bar saying they’ve been harassed by the cops for driving one mile over the speed limit,’’ Rundall told Patch on Wednesday, the same day he posted a note on the business’ Facebook page explaining his concern for how his customers are being treated. He said the business has seen a dip in revenue since the increased enforcement.

Motorcycle Safety Campaign

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State grant funding has paid for additonal patrols along the Crest to support the CHP's campaign to "reduce motorcycle-involved fatalities and injuries." The highway, closed in part after the 2009 Station fire, reopened in June. Since then, there have been , one of them a motorcycle accident.

Officer Kevin Denmon, CHP public information officer at the Altadena station, denied that the agency is pulling people over unnecessarily. Statistics show the road has a history of motorcycle accidents: between 2007-2009, there were 10 motorcycle-involved fatalities and 195 injuries on the corridor, according to CHP data.

Denmon pointed out the agency wants to deter haphazard and reckless driving on the narrow, winding road that is popular among motorcyclists and bicyclists.

“Our whole idea is to keep everyone safe. We’re not trying to run people away from the Crest,’’ Denmon said, noting all motorists need to be mindful of the speed limits. He did not have statistics readily available to show how many citations and/or verbal warnings have been issued since the Crest reopened.

Denmon told Patch Thursday morning he had yet to speak to the elder Rundall, but added that the CHP invited the owner to the upcoming meeting so he may air his grievences in front of department brass.

Depending which stretch of the Crest you’re on, the speed limit runs 45 mph or 55 mph, Rundall said. So when a customer showed him a citation he received that read “teetering on 55 mph,’’ Rundall was livid.

“The CHP does need to be here, and we want to promote safety, but I don’t think it helps to just pull people over asking for ‘license and registration,’’’ Rundall said.

‘Difficult Balance’

Comments left on the Newcomb’s Ranch Facebook note were mixed. Ayako Mizuno wrote, “I miss riding up to Newcombs... I don't ride on Hwy 2 so often anymore exactly because of those issues... ridiculous officers & too aggressive riders.’’

Whereas Sergio Najera commented that while the increased presence left him staring at his speedometer the whole time, “I felt really safe… no one doing anything stupid... just a really nice ride. I would have enjoyed it more if I didn't have to keep staring at my [speed].’’

Emil Machac wrote in part that riding the Crest is “a difficult balance… (being under a microscope during the special CHP enforcement), maintaining the speed limit (without going 1 mile over)’’ while simultaneously watching out for car drivers crossing the double yellow and dodging animals, road kill and other obstacles.

CHP Outreach?

A more positive interaction with the public might be if CHP officers set up a booth in the Newcomb’s Ranch parking lot, met patrons, answered questions about the agency’s increased enforcement and explained various laws, Rundall said. It’s an idea he and his father intend to propose at the upcoming meeting.

"We want everyone to drive safely, but it seems like the CHP has gone a little overboard,'' he said.


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