WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
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From:
To: City Clerk
Cc: Michael Dunn
Subject: F-1
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 12:19:45 PM
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Dear City CouncilAs you all know our city is struggling with two major issues; Major Crime and the Unhoused.
Both these issues have affected quality of life to the point where it is not enough to say our world class Fire and Police are worth living in our city. Many of my neighbors and peers are considering moving, because they believe the situation is hopeless and going to get worse. I know of half a dozen other young mothers who live in the city, and like me, do not feel safe walking by themselves anymore and at night will only drive. We are not alone.
If you don't feel safe to walk around your city, is it a city worth living in? Thank you for addressing the Unhoused within Beverly Hills at today's council meeting as it's likely the most important of the two problems affecting our quality of life. If you come up with a long term, immediate solution, our excellent BHPD will gain valuable time to further prevent Major Crime.
Thank you for all your efforts.
Amy Conroy
From: Brad Conroy
To: Huma Ahmed
Cc: City Clerk
Subject: Re: Item F-1
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 12:47:40 PM
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Dear Dedicated Council1) Institute a zero-tolerance Unhoused policy? a) For the thirty-something "frequent flyers" many of whom know how to circumvent the system and despite BHPD's and Human Services' best efforts return back on our streets, let's complete the task of assistance. We should offer three long term, immediate solutions 1) psychiatric help 2) substance abuse help 3) work and shelter We should be able to drive the unhoused and drop them off at a 1) mental health facility- 2) substance abuse facility--3) if 1 and 2 are not an issue, work and shelter is the easiest. We can provide immediate municipal cleaning, beautification work and housing by identifying low-income apartments within the state's density bonus program--the BH seal of approval that mental health and addiction issues are addressed will encourage apartment managers to lease.
If one refuses the above, they are barred from our city. If one accepts, we foot the bill, the city leads financially, but then we have a private, resident annual fundraiser and later, if necessary, come up with sustainable land use policies, namely allowing greater incentives on the mixed-use boulevards which provides city revenue share. b) For the other itinerant Unhoused, the zero-tolerance policy will mean loitering will be enforced.
2) Hire a full time BH City Prosecutor. Though the CP will handle misdemeanors, we will make sure they are enforced unlike what is happening at the County. 3) Cut and redirect all CAGF funds as soon as possible into implementing 1a and 1b.
Let's only fund long term, immediate solutions that we can control and ensure success.
4) Create a new position Unhoused Coordinator who will provide an update at the first council meeting of the month on status and coordination between 1) BHOT 2) Park Rangers 3) Ambassadors 4) Security 5) Businesses 6) Residents 5) Expand Unhoused coverage within a 1-mile radius around our city 6) Make sure Armed Security, and all frontliners do not walk by Unhoused.
Start with our city and come up with a program that is long term and sustainable than can be exported county wide. Let's lead.
Thank you
1 Du
Subject: FW: City of BH- Urgent action!
Attachments: Objects outside my garage by alley
From: rosa berman
Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 8:53 AM
To: Amy Conroy ; Brad Conroy <[email protected]>; City Clerk <[email protected]>; Lili Bosse <[email protected]> Cc: Ken Goldman <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: City of BH‐ Urgent action!
Hi Brad and Amy, and Mayor Lili,
Thanks for reaching out. I live around the corner from you on South McCarty Drive, and we share the alley. I have two instances to bring to your attention about problems in the city.
1. Unhoused person at Roxbury Park. After seeing a man and his possessions at Roxbury Park several times, my husband and I spoke to one of the park Rangers, who said they know about this person and there is nothing they can do about it. They have spoken with him and can't convince him to go to a shelter. The man "lives" by the western wall of the southern-most building, with his possessions, including a laptop or some other device that draws power from an exterior outlet at the building. Apparently, the man uses the bathroom facilities in the building, but the building is closed at night. There are plenty of children around at the park.
It is sad, indeed, for a person to live under these conditions, but it appears to be their choice, given that help is available. I hope the city can find a solution to this situation.
2. Trespasser on our property by the alley. Our garage is accessed through the alley behind my house. About a month ago, at 7:10 in the morning, we found objects strewn on our property outside our garage, evidence that someone had slept there that night, see attached photo. We contacted the city Dept of Public Works, and they cleaned the area promptly. At least, the city is responsive to our needs. It has not happened again, but I am concerned that every time I open my garage door, I don't know what I'm going to find. I think we need a patrol car going around more often. That area can be seen from the street.
Mayor Lili, please take these items under consideration at the city council meeting today.
Thanks, Rosa Berman
From: lora cohanim
To: City Clerk
Subject: Homelessness
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 4:55:43 PM
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Hi,
I’ve lived in BH for 43 years!
I live on
It’s time to clean up our streets that our infested with homeless, mentally ill and drug addicts!! You are allowing these people to do crack sitting on the bench outside of rite aid!!! Shame on you!
We the people who follow the law ARE NOT SAFE!!! Our children are not safe ! Enough is enough!!!!
Lora Cohanim
Sent from my iPhone
From: Jessica Iclisoy
To: City Clerk
Subject: Comment for Tuesday"s meeting re "Actions that can be taken to further assist the unhoused" Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 7:21:24 AM
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Dear City Council,
I am requesting the city of Beverly Hills enforce the state and local laws which regulate what individuals can/can’t do in public spaces. For example, the Beverly Hills Municipal Code prohibits camping and the storage of personal property in parks, on streets and in City owned parking structures and other properties. This code applies universally regardless of whether someone is housed. In most cases, individuals (regardless of housing status) cannot sit, lie or sleep on a public street, alley, sidewalk or other public place, nor are they allowed on private property without the permission of the owner. " Our city had changed drastically in the last few years and it no longer a safe a peaceful sanctuary from an increasingly hostile world. I'm not sure where the police are, but I see them less and less on the street. Beverly Hills residents have always supported our public servants with funding, and we appreciate their service. Please enforce the law and make your presence felt.
Thank you,
Jessica Iclisoy
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
From: Jerry Jolton
To: City Clerk
Subject: Item F-1
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 8:58:07 AM
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Honorable Mayor and City Council & Concerned Neighbors, We compliment your immediate efforts in addressing our growing concerns regarding violence, criminals and homelessness in our city. Crime has overtaken our city, heightened our fears when walking throughout our city, dining at our local restaurants or even walking through Roxbury Park. The criminals have the upper hand because they understand that there will be no severe consequences imposed upon them. Our extraordinary BHPD are the finest out there, but their hands are tied by existing laws. It appears the laws are governing the police to an extraordinary extent where they are unable to do their job of protecting the community and residents. Law and order are unable to be imposed appropriately and the criminals understand this. The future subway stops in and near our city are going to exacerbate this problem ten- fold. Every couple of days we hear about some type of crime with a BHPD text message or hear helicopters overhead with more frequency. Our existing laws must be revised and become strict and enforceable to deter criminals from feeling empowered to do what they want, when they want and to whom they want. We live in fear of being attacked by a criminal and are having our freedom and safety stripped from us, not feeling safe because we might be targeted due to being a certain age, driving a particular car, wearing nice jewelry or an expensive watch. The face of Beverly Hills is changing and to protect our community, we need to set an example and send a strong no non-sense, strict punishment message to criminals and the homeless. The future of our once safe and peaceful community is at stake. If this hasn’t been done, it might be time to investigate low crime cities and states to possibly adopt some of their laws and regulations to quell these problems.
Thank you,
Very Concerned Neighbors
From: Alex Levian
To: City Clerk
Subject: Item F-1
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 7:21:03 PM
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________________________________
Dear Mayor Bosse, Vice Mayor Gold, Councilmember Mirisch, Councilmember Friedman, Councilmember Nazarian, Assistant City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey and Staff, Thank you for all of your efforts thus far in addressing the homeless crisis in our City. Unfortunately, a lot more needs to be done. The health and safety of the residents are both of the utmost importance and at this very moment, we, as residents don’t feel safe. It’s not illegal to be homeless and it’s not illegal to have mental health issues, but that’s a very unsafe combination.
I can speak for plenty of mothers out there when I say that we don’t feel safe walking our children down the street anymore. I recently had a baby, and about two weeks ago, I was walking with him in south west Beverly Hills near our home, when a man across the street began screaming and cursing at us for no reason. I was terrified and contemplated knocking on the nearest home’s door and asking to go inside. I have not gone on a walk since this incident.
The homeless population is pouring into our city from the outside. Please address specifically tonight what can be done on the county level, State level, and federal level to support the City of Beverly Hills in addressing this crisis.
There is no way the city can handle this by itself.
I, along with the rest of our city, wish for the homeless and mentally ill to find the proper housing and care. Let’s do this expeditiously for them and for safety and future of our beautiful city! Thank you.
From: Cece Tsou
To: City Clerk
Cc: Vicky Mense
Subject: ITEM # F-1
Date: Monday, August 1, 2022 3:21:38 PM
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We are Xian Restaurant on Canon Drive. We want to voice a concern regarding the constant management and handling of the homeless individuals whose ominous presence we are subjected to throughout all of our hours of operation. They have become very familiar faces as we are aware that they all have their own territories and jurisdictions. There are 5-10 of the same individuals who occupy Canon Drive. Some are louder and more disruptive than others.
While they all vary in mental stability, we have not been witness to any infliction or threat of physical harm to our customers. They are, at best, nuisances that will retreat when we confront their disturbance to our customers. That being said, our staff has never been comfortable, nor should they feel safe in confronting any individuals who appear mentally volatile. As management, we also take the responsibility to keep our staff free from harm's way, and oftentimes, we have to be the ones to confront these individuals in a diplomatic and disarming fashion to set the example. The unspoken issue, however, is the constant dance between our rights as an establishment, the rights of our patrons, the human rights of these floating individuals, and what steps of enforcement to keep the disturbances at bay so that we don't lose the overall spirit of our community here in Beverly Hills. The businesses need to feel supported as much as the patrons need to feel safe and heard.
Vicky Mense, Owner, Xian Beverly Hills
Cece Tsou, Manager, Xian Beverly Hills
310.275.3345 | xianbeverlyhills.com