Jaywalkin'

There is no such thing as jaywalking in Denver. One of my first days there, I stopped on a corner and waited for the walk signal to turn, while a number of people ignored the light and crossed the street. There was a cop in traffic at the corner, who paid little attention.

The light changed and I started to cross the street. As he rolled by, the cop gave me a look like "what the fuck is your problem?"

This was a refreshing change from our paternalistic, clenched-butt-cheek laws on the west side of the Cascades. People in Denver are actually trusted to use their judgement as to whether or not it's safe to cross the street? What's next? People allowed to drive a car without a seatbelt?

¶ Monday, August 09, 2004