Man faces charges for drawing chalk crosswalk at intersection he says is dangerous
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR/Gray News) - An activist for pedestrian safety in Virginia is facing charges after creating a makeshift crosswalk at a dangerous intersection in what the city calls an act of vandalism.
Kevin Cox is well-known around Charlottesville for his outspoken advocacy for pedestrian safety. The intersection of Elliot Avenue and Second Street Southeast is one of the places he has a gripe with, WVIR reports.
“The speed of the cars is the biggest problem,” Cox said. “They drive too fast, and they ignore pedestrians.”
A 64-year-old woman was hit and killed in the area in October 2024 while trying to cross the road on her way to work.
After pleading with the city for a crosswalk to no avail, Cox decided to take matters into his own hands. He made his own makeshift crosswalk last Saturday, cheered on by a small crowd of ers.
“I walked across the street with a line marker with a can of spray chalk, not paint,” Cox said.
The crosswalk caught the attention of both police and the city. According to a police report Cox shared with WVIR, officers could not determine if the crosswalk was created using permanent paint. The city decided the markings could not be removed, so staff painted over them with black paint.
The report also states that the same day Cox made the makeshift crosswalk, he emailed City Manager Sam Sanders, writing, in part:
“There is a marked crosswalk now at Second Street and Elliot Avenue in spite of you... It’s chalk not, paint Please replace it with a real one.”
Cox turned himself in to police last Wednesday after he was ed about what is being called vandalism. He is facing misdemeanor charges for the intentional destruction of property with a value of less than $1,000. That could mean up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
“They have provoked me. It’s not going to stop me,” Cox said.
Cox made his first court appearance Tuesday, where his trial date was set for July 14. He is being represented by Charlottesville-based lawyer Peter Frazier.
The city said it would not comment on the case because the matter was pending before the court.
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