Actually, I talked to the other guys who walk and came to a workable solution. It sounds backward; but it is simple.

The crosswalk button starts the light cycle. Just don't press the crosswalk button. Wait until there is no cross traffic and cross against the red. That way, if a car comes up to the left turn lane, they have a red light. It is simple and much safer (except that I am now crossing a street that displays a green light to 45mph traffic).