In certain especially pedestrian unfriendly places I've lived (orange county area), the buttons really do give pedestrians a lower status. First, you don't get

In certain especially pedestrian unfriendly places I've lived (orange county area), the buttons really do give pedestrians a lower status. First, you don't get the walk sign if the button wasn't pressed before the light changed, even when the light is long enough for the pedestrian cycle. Second, you must press the button before the light changes, or you don't get the light. Third, the pedestrian light turns red far, far earlier than necessary (like, the light will stay green for 90 seconds after the pedestrian signal turns red).