Cops say they’re ready for blackouts

Local authorities are prepared for possible rolling blackouts due to California’s electricity shortage, with police ready to direct traffic at targeted intersections, such as they did last week when a power outage (unrelated to the state’s energy crisis), occurred in Agoura Hills.

"We have discussed this at great length. It’s a definite concern, but we are prepared to deal with the problem," said Dep. James Mee of Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station.

Should traffic lights at a busy intersection go out, extra deputies will be deployed as soon as possible, which could be after the outage.

Communities can expect from 10 minutes to no warning at all of pending blackouts.

"Drivers at a non-working signal should treat it as a stop sign (or a three- or four-way stop) and proceed accordingly," said Mee. "Whenever a signal is out … you’re required to stop and clear that traffic."

Wise motorists will be ready. Targeted areas of most concern are: the intersections of Kanan Road and the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, Parkway Calabasas at the 101 Freeway in Calabasas and Lindero Canyon and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the city of Westlake Village, Mee said.

Other busy intersections of concern are the corner of Kanan Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard and the Kanan and Agoura Road corridor in Agoura Hills; the corner of Park Granada and Calabasas Road in Calabasas: and the intersection of Agoura Road and Lindero Canyon in Westlake Village.

—Sharon Makokian