Malibu Public Safety Commissioner Calls for Action at Paradise Cove

Several Malibu Public Safety Commissioners bemoaned the traffic issues on Pacific Coast Highway created by visitors to Paradise Cove Wednesday, with one calling the danger to pedestrians “Russian roulette down there.”

The comments were made Wednesday at the Public Safety Commission meeting at Malibu City Hall.

“The worst safety issue in this town continues to be Paradise Cove on busy days,” Malibu Public Safety Commissioner Meril May said.

He acknowledged that the city of Malibu is currently working with Caltrans to increase safety on PCH at Paradise Cove. The city has been working with the California Coastal Commission to find a way to resolve the public safety issues at Paradise Cove. A safety study focusing on Pacific Coast Highway is also underway.

“I think we need some action now as we are in the planning process,” May said.

He added that he is concerned about families walking in the slow lane on PCH.

“It’s Russian roulette down there right now,” May said.

Commissioner Carol Randall said Saturday was one of the worse days in terms of traffic on PCH she has ever seen partly because of the warm weather and the opening day of little league at Bluffs Park.

“It took me almost an hour to get home because traffic was stuck at the Lagoon light again,” Randall said.

Commissioner Chris Frost, who lives at Paradise Cove, said he is also concerned about Paradise Cove traffic.

“This is the earliest weekend I have ever seen it that bad, that early. The weekend it could have been Memorial Day,” May said.

He said he is also concerned about traffic from the trails at Winding Way.

“There are so many people at the mouth of that canyon,” May said. “Something absolutely needs to happen there.”

Lost Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Treinen of the Lost Hills/Sheriff's Station, who attended the meeting, said he would meet with Paradise Cove management soon. Last year, Paradise Cove management hired two sheriff's deputies to provide traffic control.

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