As Michael Goldstein reports in “Parks Agency Money Grab” in the print L.A. Weekly, the Santa Monica Mountains, a free Los Angeles treasure beloved by hikers and dog-walkers, are not as free as they seem.

Seven “stop sign cameras” have been placed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority on rustic scenic drives and out-of-the-way parking lots, creating a cash cow for the agency. 70,000 visitors have been ticketed at $175 a pop. Parks officials insist they are reducing danger. But no reportable accidents have occurred at any camera location since 2005, either before or after cameras were installed.

If you want to avoid the seven ticket traps in the local parks, see the map:


View Los Angeles Stop Sign Ticket Traps in a larger map

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