We all know we'd do anything for our children's safety. Even if it meant putting ourself into danger. But, it's a nice extra bonus when things don't seem too dangerous to do. However, as one California dad found out, trying to protect your kids might put you up against the law.
According to the New York Post, Joseph Brandlin, 44, has been arrested after installing stop signs and painting the word "STOP" on the road. This came after his son almost found himself in a crash.
A pretty good plan, right? Selfless, too - making sure everyone's safe? He even spent $1,000 on the signage. This wasn't without trying to go the legal route, either. Him and others tried to lobby the city to turn the intersection into a four-way stop. But to no avail.
"I was almost done and no one was going to know anything," Brandlin told a city council meeting on March 17. But, at around 2am on March 14, he was busted when cops saw him carrying the signs across the street.
He (expectedly) didn't find their choice a logical one. He called it "mind boggling", given that there are other four-way intersections in the city.
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The California Father Risks Jail After Being Arrested for the Signs
The California dad has been charged with grand theft and vandalism over $400 after being arrested. "I was arrested and charged with two felony counts... I was treated like a serious criminal," Brandlin explained. He said that all of this treatment was over "an effort that was motivated solely by the concern of the children of this neighbourhood."
But, Brandlin has remained steadfast at the prospect of jail - he doesn't regret his decisions. He's happy to go to jail if it means people aren't going to die at the dangerous intersection.
And he'd do it again, "if that's what it takes", he said. "Because I'm not gonna wait for somebody to die... [in] a popular destination for families and children."
What a very noble goal. We hope that this legal trouble can be avoided, and that a proper four way intersection is set up very soon.
