Kim Kardashian: Traffic Reporter

Thursday, 30 June 2011 | by Pat's Picks

Los Angeles is preparing for a “traffic nightmare” next month when one of the city’s major arteries, the 405 freeway, closes for repairs. And the LAPD is calling in some new recruits to get the word out. But these aren’t your regular rookies. In fact, they’re veterans, fully versed on the ins and outs of…Twitter. Yes, that’s right. The department recently reached out to the reps of Ashton Kutcher, Lady Gaga, Demi Moore and Kim Kardashian, asking for their help disseminating traffic updates.

This bothers me.

I don’t blame the LA cops. Only 1500 people have signed up for the official CalTrans traffic alerts from the California Transportation Agency. Lady Gaga h as 11 million followers. But have we gone so far down the rabbit hole that she and Kim Kardashian are the gatekeepers of important local journalism? If I may channel SNL’s Seth Meyers, Really?

REALLY?

The LA Times says the department has taken out a barrage of TV ads and is encouraging local government officials to tweet their message too, but it seems obvious they know who to call when it comes to generating…traffic.

If you’re one of the few who don’t follow Ashton Kutcher on Twitter, here’s what happening on the 405, via the more traditional media: