By Fred Alexander Santa Monica
I was disheartened to read that Mayor Pam O’Connor’s top priority is ensuring that the Expo light rail stays a reality for Santa Monica. This line will eventually run from downtown LA to Santa Monica if Mayor O’Connor has her way.
Downtown LA is one of the more popular places for the homeless, bums, drug addicts, vagrants, criminals, prostitutes, etc. to hang out. Should the rail line get completed, these misfits will have a choice on where to spend their time. Once they discover Santa Monica and its benefits, I am sure they will not want to leave.
We already have a major traffic congestion problem. This proposed rail line would not reduce traffic. Instead, it will increase our high-density pedestrian traffic and attract undesirables. Give the residents of Santa Monica a break.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 1, 2005. Read the original PDF.