Venice Crash Prompts Calls for More Barriers

Some business owners say that tourists driving on the boardwalk is a common sight

After a driver allegedly went on a deadly rampage when he plowed into pedestrians at the Venice Beach boardwalk, an LA City Councilman on Sunday called for better barriers to prevent such tragedies.

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin said the current barriers in place at the Venice boardwalk are insufficient.

"There is a way around them,” he said.

That's what police say Nathan Louis Campbell, 38, did on Saturday when he drove his Dodge Avenger around the barriers and onto the boardwalk, killing a woman and injuring 11.

Bonin said he will ask the Los Angeles City Council to move quickly on approving the installation of new barriers as he plans to have them up before the end of the year.

Business owners can attest to just how poorly the barriers are working.

They say they see drivers get around the barriers and onto the boardwalk regularly.

“For tourists and out-of-towners, it’s not very clear,” said Juan Del Rio, a Venice vendor.

Business owners hope that the city might install retractable barriers like the ones put in place eight years after an 87-year-old man crashed his car into the Santa Monica Farmer's Market in 2003, killing 10 people and injuring 63.

The Farmer's Market has highway-style barriers that can stop vehicles from entering the pedestrian area.

The highway-style barricades stop vehicles from entering the pedestrian area.

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