06202023-UB-33 Corresp. EMAILS_redacted — Long Beach City Council, June 13, 2023

1 Alma Valenzuela
From: Christina H <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 1:59 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Council District 2
Subject: Fwd: PUBLIC COMMENT REQUEST: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space ‐EXTERNAL‐

Hello,

In response to CD3 council member Duggan’s agenda item today, I’m sharing this article and link about the recent study on who CA’s homeless are. The policy recommendations listed are what are needed to address the root causes of homelessness, rather than this proposed agenda item that will essentially criminalize homelessness and put the city at risk for lawsuits.

Long Beach has done a great job over the years with not criminalizing homelessness as other cities surrounding us have had many lawsuits against them for this very thing. They end up getting sued quite often actually. We need funding for more REACH teams and be
ds that can be offered to people (even more motel nights/options) so when LBPD does approach folks for camping “illegally” in parks after hours, then they have somewhere to offer people to go as well the other proposed policy recommendations in the report below.

The California Statewide Study of People Experienc
ing Homelessness (CASPEH), conducted by The University of California, San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI), is the largest representative study of homelessness in the United States since the mid‐1990s. The study provides a comprehensive look at the causes and consequences of homelessness in California and recommends poli cy changes to shape programs in response. #CAHomelessnessStudy
https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/our‐impact/our‐studies/california‐statewide‐study‐people‐experiencing‐homelessness https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/california‐statewide‐study‐homelessness/background

Christina Hall
District 2 resident (90814)

To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

California Today

June 20, 2023

By Aidan Gardine r

It’s Tuesday. A new study paints a different picture of homelessness in California. Plus, after a parade of epic winter storms, some California rivers are too dangerous to enjoy. 2 To help protect you r priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

A homeless encampment lined each side of Glendale Boulevard, adjacent to a highway overpass in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.Mark Abramson for The New York Times

There are a lot of myths about people who are homeless in California: They’re from another state. They don’t want a job. They don’t want a home.

A sweeping study published this morning by the University of California, San Francisco, paints a different picture, one of people who were working and living in poverty in the state until they suddenly lost their homes. Not knowing where to turn, they ended up on the street, where they endure violence and poor health as they try for years to climb back to stability.

“Something goes wrong, and then everything else falls apart,” said the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Margot Kushel, director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at the university. “Everything in their life gets worse when they lose their housing: their health, their mental health, their substance use.”
She likened it to “a personal doom loop.”

California has struggled for years with severe income inequality, high living costs and a lack of affordable housing, and the state now has more than 171,000 people who are homeless — 30 percent of the national total. The new study found that they tend to be older than average and are disproportionately likely to be Black or Native American. “This is a problem of this toxic combination of deep poverty and high housing costs,” Kushel said. “We’re a state, like every state in this country, that has a lot of very poor people, and we just don’t have the housing for them.”

Continue reading the main story

ADVERTISEMENT
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Kushel and her team focused on eight counties around the state that reflect a diversity of experiences, rural and urban. For about a year starting in October 2021, they visited encampments and other areas to survey 3,200 adults, and then interviewed 365 of them for up to an hour, sometimes in 110-degree heat.
3 The researchers were guided throughout by people who used to be homeless, like Claudine Sipili, whose yearlong episode began after a divorce. She coached the researchers on how to temper their eager data collection with conversational graces that made people feel comfortable. “It mattered a lot to me that this was done in the most dignifying way possible,” Sipili, 44, said.

The undertaking began in 2019 when Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s secretary for health and human services, asked Kushel to see how state policies were affecting people on the street.

They wondered not only about who was using California’s services, but also about whom the state was overlooking.

Most interviewees had forestalled their descent into homelessness by doubling up with friends or relatives, only to have those arrangements fall apart. Those who had owned homes often lost them quickly when their income fell. Time and again, people told the researchers that they didn’t know they were going to lose their housing until a few days before it happened.

Researchers then asked what help they sought.
“People were like, ‘What? What help?’” Kushel said. “That was heartbreaking.”

Nearly everyone the researchers spoke to wanted a permanent home again, and nearly half were actively trying to get a job. Most said that an extra $300 a month would have helped them avoid homelessness, and could also help them end it.

Continue reading the main story

ADVERTISEMENT
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Sipili said she hoped people who have never been homeless will see the humanity in the study data and will feel compelled to improve the broader system serving people who are unhoused.

“They assign the blame to the person instead of looking at the system side of it,” she said.

Aidan Gardiner is a news assistant for the Standards department and has been working on homelessness and housing features for the Headway initiative at The Times.

4 ‐‐
Christina Hall, CFRE

Enjoy all of The New York Times in one subscription — the original reporting and analysis, plus puzzles from Games, recipes from Cooking, product reviews from Wirecutter and sports journalism from The Athletic. Experience it all with a New York Times All Access subscription.

Continue reading the main story

5 Alma Valenzuela
From: Betty Verbeke <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 1:26 PM
To: CityClerk; Mayor; Council District 1; Council District 2; Council District 3; Council District 4; Council District 5; Council District 6; Council District 7; Council District 8; Council District 9 Subject: Opposition to the Proposed Criminalization of Homelessness ‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear Members of the Long Beach City Council,

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed criminalization of homelessness in our city. As an advocate for social justice, I firmly believe that such a measure would not only perpetuate the cy
cle of homelessness but also have far‐reaching negative consequences for our community.

Homelessness is a complex issue that demands compassionate and effective solutions. Instead of criminalizing our most vulnerable citizens, it is crucial to focus our efforts on addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing comprehensive support systems. Penalizing indivi
duals experiencing homelessness is not only inhumane but also counterproductive, as it does nothing to address the underlying issues leading to homelessness, such as lack of affordable housing, mental health challenges, and unemployment.

I implore you to consider the following reasons why criminalizing homelessness would cause more harm than good:
 Escalating the Cycle of Poverty: By imposing fines or penalties on homeless individuals, we push them further into poverty and create additional barriers to their ability to secure stable housing and employment. Criminal records resulting from these measures would only serve to perpetuate their marginalization and hinder their chances of reintegrating into society.
 Burdening the Judicial System: Our judicial system is already burdened with numerous cases, and criminalizing homelessness would only add to the strain. Resources that could be better allocated to prevention, intervention, and support services for the homeless population would instead be diverted to prosecuting and incarcerating individuals whose only crime is being without a hom e.
 Financial Implications: The financial burden associated with enforcing and implementing measures to criminalize homelessness would be substantial. Funding would be required for law enforcement efforts, court proceedings, and incarceration expenses. Instead, these resources should be redirected towards proven solutions that address the root causes of homelessness, such as affordable housing initiatives and comprehensive suppo rt programs.

In light of these concerns, I strongly urge the Long Beach City Council to explore more humane and effective alternatives to criminalization. Here are a few alternative options that prioritize compassion and long‐term solutions:
 Housing First Approach: Embrace a "Housing First" policy, which prioritizes providing immediate and stable housing to individuals experiencing homelessness. This approach has been proven to be highly successful in numerous cities across the country, as it addresses the primary need for shelter and stability.  Expanding Supportive Services: Allocate resources towards expanding mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs, vocational training, and job placement assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness. By addressing the underlying causes, we can help individuals rebuild their lives and regain independence.
6  Collaborating with Non‐Profit Organizations: Forge partnerships with local non‐profit organizations and community groups that specialize in homelessness prevention and support. These organizations often have the expertise and experience to effectively address the unique needs of the homeless population.  Affordable Housing Initiatives: Increase efforts to develop affordable housing units and ensure access to safe and affordable housing for all residents. By expanding the availability of housing options, we can significantly reduce homelessness in the long run.

I respectfully request that you carefully reconsider the proposed measures and take into account the potential negativ e consequences they would have on our community. Let us stand together in compassion, unity, and innovation to find lasting solutions to homelessness in Long Beach.

Our unhoused communities are not a NUISANCE or a BURDEN, but rather, HUMANS IN NEED that we CAN AND SHOULD HELP.

Thank you for your attention to this cri
tical matter. I trust that you will consider the concerns raised by myself and others who share a commitment to social justice and a compassionate approach to addressing homelessness.

Sincerely,
A concerned and passionate citizen that moved to this beautiful and progressive state of California from the restrictive and anti‐progressive state of Texas just a few years ago. 7 Alma Valenzuela
From: Parisa Vinzant <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 12:17 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: FW: Public Comment: Agenda Item #25 - City Council's 6/13 Meeting ‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City Clerk, I’m writing to ensure that my previous public comment for last week’s City Council meeting for agenda item #25 that was continued to today’s City Council’s will be attached to agenda item #33 and circulated to the Mayor and City Council? Please find enclosed below my public comment.

Many thanks,
Parisa
From: Parisa Vinzant
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2023 11:09 AM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Public Comment: Agenda Item #25 ‐ City Council's 6/13 Meeting

Dear City Clerk,
I hope this note finds you doing well. I’ve enclosed below my public comment for agenda item #25 for City Council’s June 13th meeting. I kindly request that you please circulate my letter to the Mayor and City Council prior to the meeting and attach my letter to the agenda item on legistar attend of the meeting. Many thanks for your assistance!

Best wishes,
Parisa Vinzant

~ ~ ~ ~
Dear Mayor and Members of City Council,
My name is Parisa Vinzant, an equity and inclusion consultant, and I was th e equity toolkit consultant for the City's
Equity Toolkit that was launched October 2019. I'm writing with strong concerns about Agenda item #25 that it will have unintended equity consequences and punitive impacts on the city's residents who are experiencing homelessness.

While the City is hard at work to tackle the complex issue of homelessness and has allocated extraordinary resources recently to do so, the City does not yet have in place realistically adequate or available beds or housing and resources for its sizable and still growing homeless population. To move forward with agenda item #25 at this crucial time, and without the explicit involvement of the City's Health and Human Services Department and the Office of Equity, is likely to produce ineffective and inequitable results and will be counterproductive to the previously stated goals of this body when it announce
d the state of emergency for homelessness earlier this year.

Further, this agenda item states, that "The City Manager, in coordination with the City Prosecutor and City Attorney, should also present enforcement mechanisms that have been used by other cities for violations." It is concerning that the sponsors of this agenda item are se
eking such punitive responses at this early stage of the city’s dedicated efforts to substantively tackle the systemic issues of homelessness. It's also very concerning that the sponsors are seeking enforcement mechanisms from other cities, and within only 30 days, and make s no provision for the explicit involvement of the Office of Equity to ensure that a thorough equity analysis is conducted on any potential policies or actions. Just because another city has developed a policy on homelessness, and a policy that may have even found what 8 it believes to be a loophole around the anti‐camping precedent setting case Martin v. City of Boise, it does not make it an effective policy much less an equitable or just policy.

Long Beach has also long aspired to operate differently and by its own ethos, one in which the principles of equity and inclusion are at its core. For these key reasons, I strongly urge City Council to vote NO on agenda item #25. Thank you for your cons
ideration.

Very best wishes,
Parisa Vinzant

For Reference:

Long Beach Equity Toolkit for City Leaders and Staff (October 2019), Long Beach Office of Equity, City of Long Beach, https://www.longbeach.gov/globalassets/health/media‐library/documents/healthy‐living/office‐of‐equity/city‐of‐long‐beach‐office‐of‐equity‐ toolkit
_____
Parisa Vinzant, MPA (She/her)
Public Sector Equity & Inclusion Consultant | Strategist Vinzant Group Inc
Email: [email protected]

9 Alma Valenzuela
From: Sean Lieppman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 12:15 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

City Clerk’s Oﬃce,

My name is Sean Lieppman. I was born and raised in Long Beach and I plan to be an integral part of the community indeﬁnitely. I strongly urge the City Council support the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces proposal.

As a commercial real estate broker leasing many oﬃce and retail spa ces in Downtown Long Beach over the past 10 years, I have a unique perspecƟve as to what businesses are looking for and what they see in DTLB as posiƟves/negaƟves. I’ve facilitated the expansion of restaurants and breweries and relocaƟon of tech companies that brought man
y jobs/new residents to our downtown; and although I’m a big proponent of Downtown LB and I make sure to highlight all the good things it has to oﬀer prospecƟve companies, it’s hard for my clients to see past some of the major issues facing DTL B, primarily the rampant crime and homelessness occurring in and stemming from public spaces.

I’ve been on property tours where my clients were harassed by people camped out in front of the buildings we are trying to lease and I’ve had a client’s car window get smashed and their valuables stolen right in front of us on their ﬁrst visit to Long Beach. On many other occasions, clients have felt generally unsafe while passing through Harvey Milk Park to/from their cars parked in the City parking structures. Needless to say, these companies did not decide to invest in Long Beach.

I believe that making a safer environme
nt for our streets and parks (including The Promenade and Harvey Milk Park) will make the residents, my clients, their employees & customers as well as myself feel safer. Downtown Long Beach has seen such a posiƟve transformaƟon over the past decade and it kills me to see the progress reversed.

I urge you to support Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces to make a step in the right direcƟon.

Sincerely,

Sean

Principal
Lee & Associates | Los Angeles – Long Beach

D 562.354.2528
C 562.760.7572
[email protected]

____________________________________

10 Corporate ID 01069854 | License ID 01905266
5000 East Spring Street | Suite 600
Long Beach, CA 90815

Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this electronic e-mail and any accompanying attachment(s) is intended only for the use of the intended recipient and may be confidential. If any reader of this communication is not the intended recipient, unauthorized use, disclosure or copying is strictly prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail, and delete the original message and all copies from your system. Thank you. 11 Alma Valenzuela
From: Deborah Castro <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 10:43 AM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Council District 3
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces--Support ‐EXTERNAL‐

As a business owner in Belmont Shore and resident of District 3, I support this item to study solutions and recommendations for improving public safety in our community and throughout Long Beach. The recent stabbing at 11 am at a park in Belmont Shore last month is a symptom of a persistent problem related explicitly to unhous ed individuals who are addicted to drugs, mentally ill, or dangerous. Many people I have spoken with do not want to tolerate feeling unsafe in open spaces and on the street—it hinders our (taxpayers) enjoyment of the community and restricts our ability to exist. Please understand this is a non‐partis an issue. If people with violent tendencies are allowed to live on the street, it diminishes the quality of life for everyone. For example, people affected by Fentanyl cannot make good decisions for themselves; ultimately, we are enabling their suffering or worse. Often people are arrested and released from custody without appropriate rehabilitation. With this problem un addressed, kids cannot walk to school or
play in the park. Parents live in fear. Residents take fewer walks, and businesses close. It’s worth studying how other cities are mitigating or solving this problem. More information is always better, and there is no single answer to this problem.

Thank you.

Deborah Castro

NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIALITY: The information contained in this communication is intended solely for the use of the individual entity to who it is addressed and others authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and then delete this file.

12 Alma Valenzuela
From: Aarti (Aarthi) Harper <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 10:14 AM
To: Council District 3; CityClerk
Cc: Council District 5; Council District 1; Council District 2; Council District 4; Council District 6; Council District 7; Council District 8; Council District 9
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

Good morning,

In response to my CD3 council member Duggan’s agenda item today, I’m sharing this article and link about the recent study on who CA’s homeless are. The policy recommendations listed are what are needed to address the root causes of homelessness, rather than this proposed agenda item that will essentially criminalize homelessness and put the city at
risk for lawsuits.

Long Beach has done a great job over the years with not criminalizing homelessness actually as other cities surrounding us have had many lawsuits against them for this very thing. They end up getting sued quite often actually. We need fundin
g for more REACH teams and beds that can be offered to people (even more motel nights/options) so when PD does approach folks for camping “illegally” in parks after hours, then they have somewhere to offer people to go as well the other proposed policy recommendations in the report below.

The California Statewi
de Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH), conducted by The University of California, San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI), is the largest representative study of homelessness in the United States since the mid‐1990s. The study provides a comprehensive look at the causes and consequences of homelessness in California and recommends policy changes to shape programs in response. #CAHomelessnessStudy
https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/our‐impact/our‐studies/california‐statewide‐study‐people‐experiencing‐homelessness

Aarti Harper (pronounced Aarthi)
District 3 resident (90814)

From: The New York Times <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 6:30 AM
Subject: [BULK] California Today: A different picture of homelessness

CAUTION: External Email. Proceed Responsibly.

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To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.California Today

June 20, 2023

By Aidan Gardine r

It’s Tuesday. A new study paints a different picture of homelessness in California. Plus, after a parade of epic winter storms, some California rivers are too dangerous to enjoy.

To help protect you r priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

A homeless encampment lined each side of Glendale Boulevard, adjacent to a highway overpass in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.Mark Abramson for The New York Times

There are a lot of myths about people who are homeless in California: They’re from another state. They don’t want a job. They don’t want a home.

California has struggled for years with severe income inequality, high living costs and a lack of affordable housing, and the state now has more than 171,000 people who are homeless — 30 percent of the national total. The new study found that they tend to be older than average and are disproportionately likely to be Black or Native American. 14 “This is a problem of this toxic combination of deep poverty and high housing costs,” Kushel said. “We’re a state, like every state in this country, that has a lot of very poor people, and we just don’t have the housing for them.”

Continue reading the main story

ADVERTISEMENT
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

The researchers were guided throughout by people who used to be homeless, like Claudine Sipili, whose yearlong episode began after a divorce. She coached the researchers on how to temper their eager data collection with conversational graces that made people feel comfortable. “It mattered a lot to me that this was done in the most dignifying way possible,” Sipili, 44, said.

The undertaking began in 2019 when Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s secretary for health and human services, asked Kushel to see how state policies were affecting people on the street.

They wondered not only about who was using California’s services, but also about whom the state was overlooking.

Researchers then asked what help they sought.
“People were like, ‘What? What help?’” Kushel said. “That was heartbreaking.”

15 Nearly everyone the researchers spoke to wanted a permanent home again, and nearly half were actively trying to get a job. Most said that an extra $300 a month would have helped them avoid homelessness, and could also help them end it.

Continue reading the main story

ADVERTISEMENT
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Sipili said she hoped people who have never been homeless will see the humanity in the study data and will feel compelled to improve the broader system serving people who are unhoused.

“They assign the blame to the person instead of looking at the system side of it,” she said.

Aidan Gardiner is a news assistant for the Standards department and has been working on homelessness and housing features for the Headway initiative at The Times.

Continue reading the main story

16 Alma Valenzuela
From: Kailee Caruso <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 8:24 AM
Subject: We can not criminalize our homeless by "ensuring usable & safe public spaces" ‐EXTERNAL‐

Hello Mayor, Councilmembers, City Manager and All,

I am sending another email to ensure we do not criminalize our most vulnerable community members or communities with harmful policies. This "discussion" is being presented based on white discomfort and majority white angry residents after the incident in Belmont Shore. This discussion is not rooted in solutions for homelessness. It is rooted in NIMBY (not in my backyard) mentality and centering white comfort which is mistaken for white safety. We all value safety in Long Beach and ensuring some people feel safer at the expense of our most vulnerable is harm. The incident in Belmont Shore could have been pre
vented. Even though District 3 does not face as severe homeless challenges as other districts it still deserves consistent homeless services and resources by the city. The recent incident makes that clear. This is NOT currently happening. The REACH team and Mobile access center is not consistently touch ing down in D3. The residents or business owners do not have accessible resources to know who to call to empower them in their neighborhoods and communities when homeless challenges occur. We are failing the homeless people, residents and business owners. We are skipping steps. We need discussions on the historic harmf ul policy in Long Beach, LA County and CA that has gotten us here. We need discussions and education for our community of the root causes of homelessness and intersectionality of lack of affordable housing. We need discussions, education and training to destigmatize criminalization, bias, and stigmas attached to our homeless that ar e harmful and for residents and business owners to be trained how to respond to homeless challenges and create a culture of community care. These are the gaps that must be filled before pushing policy. We need to build trust and community care within all our districts that bring us together not divide us. When our most vulnerable members are safe, we are all safer. We know city staff are stretched thin and there are so many volunteers and organizations in Long Beach that could support these discussions, training and education.

We are aware that the city services are not f
unctioning at their highest level of success. We know that some outreach teams are sitting in their cars waiting for the homeless to come to them. We know the mobile access center is staying in one place for 3 hours and not interacting with as many people as they hoped. We know sweeps are happening regularly.

Our city providing more services is crucial and it's not enough if it's not making a significant impact. Residents then see it as lip service, a waste of taxpayer dollars and for show. Let's have conversations about this BEFORE we are discussing harmful crimin
alizing policy that is saying homeless people are dangerous. We do not believe that it will intentionally not criminalize or be equitable. This proposal would perpetuate more distrust between our city and the most vulnerable in our communities.

We can not be a city that talks so much about equity but when it comes time to walk the walk we dont show up. To truly value equity it means standing by it when it's uncomfortable, unpopular, and challenging. This moment as city leaders is not calling for the perpetuation of status quo, harm and white comfort. It is calling for innovative, creative, bold and cour
ageous leadership that will stand with all.

In Community,

Kailee Caruso, MPA
she/her/hers
Parent/Resident District 3
Co‐Founder DEI Committee @ Lowell Elementary 2018
Trained Trauma Informed Mental Health Worker
17 Group Facilitator @ CCEJ
CSULB Alumni
Former LB City Council Candidate District 3

18 Alma Valenzuela
From: Alan Pullman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 8:18 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Councilmember Kristina Duggan
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City Clerk:

I strongly support the request for the City Manager to research and report to the City Council policy recommendaƟons related to the unlawful use of public spaces that contribute to concerns about safety and health.  I am a resident of the Third District, a business and property owner downtown, and a board member of several non‐ proﬁt organizaƟons within
the City.  I am also an urban planner and architect. I cannot emphasize the importance of our shared public places‐ sidewalks, streets, playgrounds, plazas, parks, beaches, libraries, museums, and public transport systems.  To reference the urbanist Setha Low from her new book “Why Public Spa ces MaƩer,” public space is criƟcal for commerce and circulaƟon, impacƟng the percepƟons of a place and the quality of life for its people.  Public space is vital for neighbors to socialize, learn, and play.    But these spaces can only fulﬁll th eir criƟcal purposes when perceived as safe and welcoming.  Today the crises of our unhoused residents have created an intolerable situaƟon for many neighborhoods and pose a conƟnued health and safety emergency for those who camp outdoors.  We can’t throw up our hands and wait for more housing while our
public spaces are unsafe and unwelcoming.  We need to ﬁnd immediate soluƟons to secure our public areas while we work towards the long‐term goals of providing more permanent and supporƟve housing.  The homelessness crisis is not unique to Long Beach, and many other ciƟes are ﬁnding humane soluƟ ons that balance the unhoused’s needs with residents' sincere desires.  I am hopeful that this report will be a start to quickly implement workable strategies to reclaim our public spaces and move toward improving the quality of life for the residents of our city.

Alan Pullman, AIA
Partner
[email protected]
Office: 562.901.1500

studio-
111.com

Click to learn about our commitments:
1+ AIA | SoCal NOMA DEI | AIA 2030

19 Alma Valenzuela
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 7:22 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Kimberly Van Lant
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City Clerk,
I am in full support of Council Member Duggan’s discussion related to ensuring usable and safe public spaces.

Kevin Van Lant

20 Alma Valenzuela
From: Bennett Pifer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 6:59 PM
To: CityClerk; Council District 3; Mayor
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

To whom it may concern‐

I am writing in support of having a discussion in regards to ensuring usable and safe public spaces.

As a resident of E. Ocean Blvd., I am front and center to this on a daily basis and I’m disgusted by the city’s continued lack of support in this area. I invite anyone from the city to come down and walk with me on the corridor to experience the ongoing issues of blocked sidewalks, litter, feces, and public urination that occurs on an every‐day basis as the result of city allowed camping in this area. I have brought this issue to the city many times over the past 4 years, and all I get are excuses. Most recently during Covid, the city threw up their hands and cited a state mandate allowing them to pass the blame back on Sacramento. Well, the pandemic is
now over, and it is time that the city explore ways to give public spaces back to Long Beach residents. Other cities have done it and we can too. It’s time to stop blaming and time to start doing what’s best for Long Beach residents‐ the real ones, with addresses and
families who want to feel safe walking around their
neighborhoods.

I strongly support this conversation and eventual resolution.

Bennett Pifer

21 Alma Valenzuela
From: Greg Gill <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 6:13 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Kristina Duggan; Nick Kaspar
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

City Clerk’s Oﬃce,

My name is Gregory Gill , I’m a lifelong, Long Beach resident, a downtown property owner, and I’m President of Lee & Associates Los Angeles, Long Beach commercial Real estate brokerage. I strongly urge the City Council support the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces proposal. I’ve been personally involved the leasing of the many of the hi gh‐rise
oﬃce buildings in downtown Long Beach since 1971 (52 years), I’m a past President of Long Beach Rotary, Founder of Westerly School of Long Beach, and the Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year, and support many more civic organizaƟ
ons promoƟng the health, growth, and welfare of Long Beach, in essence I’m a big cheerleader for long Beach, and “eat my own cooking”.

I have a unique perspecƟve having been at the vanguard for the private sector to aƩract new businesses to downtown Long Beach, starƟng in the early 1970’s as we transiƟoned from a Navy Town wit h some rough edges into the
Renaissance of Downtown. I know how hard it was to get prospecƟve business owners from Los Angeles and other ciƟes, to consider Downtown, but we did it. We were successful, and those successes le d to more retail tenants, restaurants, hotels and helped support the ConvenƟon Center. Success builds success. Then the downtown housing market took oﬀ and we have another wave of success.

We now have the reverse, the lack of safety in our streets, public areas, parking lots, theŌs, break ins, with liƩle or no
consequences to the perpetrators, has turned the market against downtown LB. Many long‐term businesses have leŌ downtown, and more are quietly downsizing in Downtown and moving back‐oﬃce operaƟons out. We have more than 1,000,000 Square feet of vac ant oﬃce space in downtown and more coming, with no tracƟon to aƩract new tenants. If we assume 200 SF/ employee that 1M SF of vacant space equates to 5,000 jobs we’ve lost in downtown and for each core job, we lose the addiƟonal service sector jobs th at depend on that payroll of hundreds of millions of dollars per year, that is now lost. Currently many of our employees are not comfortable coming downtown to work, not using our restaurants and in turn they are struggling ﬁnancially. We have had exisƟng tenants tell us they don’t plan on renewi ng their leases when they expire unless things change. CreaƟng a safer environment for our streets and parks ( including Harvey Milk and the Promenade) will make this a beƩer and safer environment for all, including the unhoused.

A posiƟve case study is the annual clean up of downtown just prior to the Gran Prix, it works. The St reets are cleaner and safer, during that Ɵme, so we can do something about this problem, and it needs to be permanent. Our residents and businesses need access to safe and usable public spaces. CiƟes across the country have fo und a balance between not criminalizing someone’s right to exist and making sure that people have access to public space and feel safe. Long Beach can do the same.

Again, I urge you to support the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces as a start to making things beƩ er. Again, success builds success.

Very Truly Yours,
Gregory R. Gill

22 Gregory R. Gill, CCIM, SIOR
President
Lee & Associates | Los Angeles – Long Beach

D 562.354.2512
C 562.243.6313
F 562.354.2501
[email protected]

____________________________________

Corporate ID 01069854 | License ID 00370387
5000 East Spring Street | Suite 600
Long Beach, CA 90815

23 Alma Valenzuela
From: Frank Esparza <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 2:37 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces - City Council Agenda Item ‐EXTERNAL‐

To whom it may concern,

I wholeheartedly support the proposals outlined in City Council Agenda Item #25.

A fair-handed approach towards the unhoused that is equitable and compassionate is the right way to go.

Other cities’ efforts offer a great model.

Frank Esparza
District 3 homeowner and resident (31 years)

Sent from Outlook
24 Alma Valenzuela
From: john migliazza <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 1:30 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space"
‐EXTERNAL‐

As a 20yr property owner and family of 4 living in Belmont Shore, I demand this topic be discussed and demand specific actionable options to be brought on the table.

I do not want to hear the excuse of we don't have enough affordable housing or hospital beds. Those are only excuses.

I also demand
you do not hide behind the Federal Law. This is an excuse to hide behind when other cities have come up with solutions, including just moving them out. Bus them to Newsome's neighborhood and see what he does. You welcome these homeless.

I am compassionate and those who want to use the sys tem to get back on their feet, I support 100%. You have let the city look like Gotham city and what happened I. The Shore the other week is your doing.

I am sure you want to use the words entitled to describe me, but I am not. I am a hard working person of i mmigrant
families. I live in the Shore but choose to send my kids to Poly in the city. Please do not label me.

With this said, I demand specific actionable items which exclude the above mentioned excuses. Think outside the box..and not with your pol
itical sidekicks. If you were working in industry, you would be fired. If you cannot come up with a real plan, the you should step down and let someone else take the lead. I would be happy to do it. Your comments at Kristina's gathering after the stabbing (stop calling it an incident) were insulting and pathetic.

I look forward to hearing what actionable and measurable plans you have tomorrow night.

Take care,

John

25 Alma Valenzuela
From: Deborah Bernstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 11:58 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Support for Ensuring Public Places Safety
‐EXTERNAL‐

Thank you for examining this very important issue. Unfortunately I missed the ﬁrst meeƟng, but will be aƩending tomorrow night’s meeƟng.

Thank you.

Deborah Bernstein

Sent from my iPhone
26 Alma Valenzuela
From: Leslie Bryant <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2023 6:42 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

I am writing to express my support for the proposal titled: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space, authored by Coucilmembers Duggan, Zendejas and Supernaw. This is a critical issue faced by our city, and we as residents demand more be done.

On any given day, Long Beach residents encounter violent and/or mentally ill individuals, gar bage, human waste, and drug paraphernalia from homeless who have been permitted to live in public spaces and business districts. As a result, many of our favorite areas have become unusable and less safe for residents, particularly children, who wish to enjoy them.

What the city has been doing
is not working.

‐Leslie Bryant
D2 Resident

27 Alma Valenzuela
From: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 9:59 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

I believe it is about time that the City of Long Beach specifically draw up measures to protect the public spaces for all of us. We are all aware that the homeless exist and measures should be taken to address the mentally ill on our streets.

However, there are those that do not have this condition, but choose this lifestyle and it affects all of us in our public spaces. We cannot use our parks, we cannot walk down 2nd street without being approached by the homeless laying on the street, the dirt, the feces, the drugs, the rats where encampments are huddled, it is disgusting, unhealthy, unsanitary and just down right wrong. We need our government to be accountable to those of us who pay the taxes, who live in our community and would like to enjoy our neighborhood. We understand the plight of the homeless, however, while our government attempts to house these individuals, we also have a right to a safe neighborhood.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
28 Alma Valenzuela
From: Charles Beckman <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 4:31 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Using usable spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

I have been told that this has been put back on the agenda. I am disabled and find it very hard to get around because I have no one to push my wheelchair going into a taxi or getting out of a taxi, so please act on my behalf and support putting this motion at the top of the agenda. You may
or may not be aware that Long Beach rex fourth and unsafe places to live in California ahead of Compton and Los Angeles. I was born here 75 years ago and I know that things have gotten bad all over but they’ve become much worse in Long Beach , so please do what you can to have this at the top of the agenda thank you
Charles Beckman

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

29 Alma Valenzuela
From: Pete Elkins <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 4:13 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

We support this conversation!
30 Alma Valenzuela
From: Ann Duni <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 12:45 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring usable and safe public space
‐EXTERNAL‐

I support this.

Sincerely,
Ann Duni
31 Alma Valenzuela
From: Gloria Garcia <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 12:17 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring safety in public spaces . Good luck with this. Difficult subject with what to do with homeless/mental health. I sure don't know,but camping with tents has got to go. It is unsafe for everyone. Once they are sheltered,let them contribute. Idlen... ‐EXTERNAL‐

Thanks for tackling this.

Gloria Garcia
3rd district
32 Alma Valenzuela
From: John Hayes <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 10:58 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

I just wanted to express my support for this discussion. Since returning to Long Beach and the Belmont area 7 years ago, it has been disappoinƟng to watch the downturn in safety and just the general use ability of the area. PeƩy theŌ, crime and drug use seem to be every
where, and also seem generally related to the “homeless.”

John P. Hayes

33 Alma Valenzuela
From: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 10:39 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space"
‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City clerk

I support the concept of ensuring usable and safe public space.

I cannot attend the meeting but through my support behind Councilmember Kristina Duggan

Abe Green MD
34 Alma Valenzuela
From: MICHAEL GAVIN <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 10:26 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Re: Homeless solutions
‐EXTERNAL‐

Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 3, 2023, at 4:07 PM, MICHAEL GAVIN <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> The frequently cited deﬁniƟon of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecƟng a diﬀerent result.

Despite all our eﬀort supplying housing at $200,000 per unit our homeless populaƟon increased from 2022‐2023. Let’s compare the enƟrety of Orange County to Long Beach. In 2022 Orange County reported a populaƟon of 3,151,184 and a homeless count of 5,718. In 2022 the City of Long Beach reported a populaƟon of 451,307 and a home less count of 3,447. The criteria for the counƟng of homeless was the same during this Ɵme period. BoƩom line we have roughly 4 Ɵmes the number of homeless per thousand populaƟon than does Orange County. Perhaps we should discuss with them some best pracƟ ces.
>
> Further, we simply don’t have enough money or Ɵme to do “housing ﬁrst.” We do however have a clement climate.

Why not put up tent shelters similar to those used aŌer disasters along with portable bathrooms, showers, kitchens, etc. in a large locaƟon where services from men tal health, public health, and substance abuse professionals could be co‐ located. All done for a fracƟon of the cost we are currently paying. Our hands are not Ɵed as I conƟnuously heard at the Thursday meeƟng. We fear blowback from homeless advocates who are loud but clearly don’t represent the folks that were expressing their anger and impaƟence at your meeƟng. >
> Michael Gavin
>
> Sent from my iPad

35 Alma Valenzuela
From: MICHAEL GAVIN <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 10:25 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Fwd: Homeless solutions
‐EXTERNAL‐

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

From: MICHAEL GAVIN <[email protected]>
Date: June 3, 2023 at 4:07:19 PM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Homeless solutions

The frequently cited definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Despite all our effort supplying housing at $200,000 per unit our homeless population increased from 2022‐2023. Let’s comp
are the entirety of Orange County to Long Beach. In 2022 Orange County reported a population of 3,151,184 and a homeless count of 5,718. In 2022 the City of Long Beach reported a population of 451,307 and a homeless count of 3,447. The criteria for the counting of homeless was the same during this time period. Bottom line we have roughly 4 times the number of homeless per thousand population than does Orange County. Perhaps we should discuss with them some best practices.

Further, we simply don’t have enough money or time
to do “housing first.” We do however have a
clement climate. Why not put up tent shelters similar to those used after disasters along with portable bathrooms, showers, kitchens, etc. in a large location where services from mental health, public health, and substance abuse professionals could be co‐located. All done for a fraction of the cost we are currently paying. Our hands are not tied as I continuously heard at the Thursday meeting. We fear blowback from homeless advocates who are loud but clearly don’t represent the folks that were expressing their anger and impatience at your meeting.

Michael Gavin

Sent from my iPad
36 Alma Valenzuela
From: Karen Williams <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 9:56 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring safe space
‐EXTERNAL‐

I’m wriƟng with no brilliant ideas, but will support any plan that removes homeless from the streets—even if it’s not the homeless person’s choice. I’m sorry for their condiƟon but not willing to sacriﬁce the safety of so many other ciƟzens.

Sent from my iPad
37 Alma Valenzuela
From: Elizabeth Thomas <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 9:45 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring safe public space
‐EXTERNAL‐

Please, please do something to enact or change laws that do not allow police or other enforcement agencies to remove dangerous people from living in our neighborhoods.

I grew up in Long Beach, 3rd generation. I have NEVER seen anything like this.

I understand you can’t remove people and take them either to a shelter, a hospital, a mental facility, or JAIL. To get them off the street.

I do NOT understand why we can’t put them on cots in empty office buildings. They are CHOOSING to live on the street. For whatever reason.

I want to live in my home that I worked hard for, that I pay taxes on. I want to shop and not feel scared.

Please do something.

Elizabeth Thomas
Sent from my iPad distraction device

I may have dictated this message. The blinkin’ device sometimes gets the words wrong. If you can’t decipher, let me know…
38 Alma Valenzuela
From: superg <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 9:32 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring safe/clean city
‐EXTERNAL‐

LBC leaders must do beƩer!!! Long Beach deserves safe and clean neighborhoods!!

Greg Magnuson

Sent from my iPhone
39 Alma Valenzuela
From: Debra Greco <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 9:11 AM
To: Council District 3; CityClerk; Mayor
Subject: Providing Safe space for all City Council
Attachments: IMG_9932.jpeg; IMG_9879.jpeg; IMG_9878.jpeg; IMG_9942.MOV ‐EXTERNAL‐

Please see attached photos of the disastrous neglect by the City towards:

Humanity, neighborhoods, streets are deplorable—you have allowed a neighborhood to turn into trash, human waste, crime and illegal encampments where residents and tourists use to enjoy going. The corner of Termino/Livingston and Ocean is a hot mess, it has been neglected for years. People from other Cities come to Belmont Pool for “meets” and are dismayed how Long Beach is allowing their beach area and the pool where children have events to be overrun with all of the above! The City deserves the negative press when they are not doing anything to change it!

Where are th
e red shirts on the beach to clean the trash along the side walks by the parking lots—disgusting(polluting our ocean)! ? Where is the enforcement to remove the tents, remove the “unhoused” from the stairs where they are urinating and leaving human waste? Why should clot hes, socks, blankets, be on every corner by the beach and on bus stop benches? Is this how we attract “tourists” Mr Mayor?! I recently had family from NY, Florida and a friend from Virginia, they ALL were dismayed by the “state” of our City‐ trash, homelessness, run down buildings, awful road conditions, fear from the characters roaming 2nd street, the bike path, it’s very sad that it’s getting worse daily and it’s too little too late—we don’t have time to waste on programs that the drug induced or mentally I’ll DO NOT WANT TO BE IN. We don’t have city mone y to waste on “more housing” that they don’t WANT TO LIVE IN or be ACCOUNTABLE for their behavior/actions/drugs.

Please take note and address these issues if I cannot make it on Tuesday for the Council meeting. These are ALL issues addressed at the recent Belmont Shore/Heights meeting attended by Kristina, Mr. Modika and our Police chief.

Thank you,
Debra Greco
40 41

42 43
‐‐
Debra Greco
Keller Williams Luxury

Inline image

44 Alma Valenzuela
From: Brian Spina <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 8:54 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space - From the Community ‐EXTERNAL‐

Sending along a note that we, residents and homeowners in the 3rd District, strongly support KrisƟna Duggan and her eﬀorts to ensure the usable and safe public spaces. Please hear us that we want to be able to have a greater sense of safety and well‐being in our pu
blic spaces and please work with her and her oﬃce to ensure this. This will likely be one of the most impacƞul and important eﬀorts in public oﬃce for the next few years so we strongly ask that you conƟnue to push the iniƟaƟve forward. Tha nks, Brian Spina Belmont Heights Resident

Sent from my iPhone
45 Alma Valenzuela
From: Aileen Yankowski <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 8:39 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring usable and safe public spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

I fully support this proposal.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
46 Alma Valenzuela
From: Julee Stover <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2023 8:38 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

I eagerly await discussion on the city council agenda item “Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space” as it’s paramount our city have a ﬁrm policy in place that will be enforced. San Diego just passed their own ordinance on this very same topic that included 2 warnings and an arrest on the 3r
d violaƟon of camping in public on beaches and parks as well as near schools.

—Julee Stover

Sent from my iPhone
47 Alma Valenzuela
From: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 3:36 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Council District 1; Council District 3; Council District 4 Subject: Support for Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces proposal: June 20, 2023 Council Meeting ‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear Clerk and Council,

I submit this comment to support the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces proposal.

The lack of enforcement related to homeless encampments and related acƟvity has made our public spaces, including parks and the cycling/walking river trail, unsafe and unpleasant. Homeless encampments are sources of crime and threats, and currently walking, cycling or simply enjoyi ng our parks with our children are oŌen no longer possible, and this has seriously reduced our health and quality of life.

Many Ɵmes, police seem reluctant to enforce our complaints because they are “misdemeanors” that will only result in citaƟons. However,
enforcement is nonetheless needed. For example, there is an encampment under Willow Street where there is a generator, bicycle parts, and men who have threatened cyclists. I am fearful riding alone to or from El Dorado Park, yet it is diﬃcult to get the police to address this. We should not have to wait unƟl there is a stabbing or other serious injury; we should address these issues now. The same situaƟons exist in our parks, on our sidewalks and in
many public spaces.

Similarly, we have had homeless wandering our neighborhoods, removing garage door openers and aƩempƟ ng to break into homes, or otherwise threatening our residents. Those who use drugs oŌen engage in illegal acƟvity to support their habits, and this should not be ignored.

Public parks are intended for the health and enjoyment of our residents, yet they, like many of our streets, have be en
illegally co‐opted. As we have been told by the police, most Ɵmes the homeless campers turn down and have no interest in shelter or services. In such cases, we are enƟtled to enforce our laws. Similarly, like other ciƟes, we need to designate areas where illegal
camping will not be allowed. This includes parks, areas near our schools, and along our waterways where encampments result in polluƟon and other unsanitary condiƟons.

These dangerous homeless encampments are not the result of our aﬀordable housing crisis. The homeless that are dangerous oŌen have drug
, alcohol and/or mental condiƟons, which render them incapable of being employed or paying rent or for a home regardless of cost. Lowering the cost of housing will not resolve this situaƟon. UnƟl they want to get help, we have no way to force it on them. But, we can enforce our laws, keep our communiƟes safe, and hopefully this will help encourage those who need help to accept assistance and services.

Regards,
Laura Lindgren
Long Beach

48 49
Alma Valenzuela
From: Lisa <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 1:35 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: I support having a discussion on Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces ‐EXTERNAL‐

I support having a discussion on Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces, proposed by Council members Duggan, Supernaw and Zendejas.

Thank you.

Lisa Ramelow

50 Alma Valenzuela
From: Brad Williams <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 11:57 AM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Daryl Supernaw
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

City Clerk’s Office.

My name is Brad Williams, I’m a long time Long Beach resident and downtown business owner with 200 employees. I request the City Council support the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces proposal.

Currently many of my employees are not comfortable coming downtown to work and more than one of our employees has been assaulted in downtown Long Beach by an unhoused person. The current state of downtown Long Beach limits the number of employees that are using our downtown restaurants and amenities resulting in many businesses struggling financially.

Residents in every district need to have access to usable and safe public spaces. Cities across the country have found a balance between not criminalizing someone's right to exist and making sure that people have access to public spaces and feel safe. I believe Long Beach can do the same.

Brad Williams, AIA
Chief Executive Officer

RDC-S111, Inc.

51 Alma Valenzuela
From: Robin Schafer <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 10:41 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: ensuring usable and safe public spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City Clerk,
I agree with the letter concerning ensuring usable and safe public space in Long Beach. I agree with everything that Councilmember Duggan, Councilmember Zendejas and Councilmember Supernaw sent out. I hope it will lead to changes in enforcement during this homelessness emergency. .

Thank you.

Best,

Robin
Robin Flitt Schafer

Please note this is my permanent email address: [email protected] 52 Alma Valenzuela
From: Karen Blair <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 9:39 AM
To: Council District 1; Council District 2; Council District 3; Council District 4; Council District 5; Council District 6; Council District 7; Council District 8; Council District 9; Mayor; CityClerk Subject: Ensuring safe and usable public spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City Council persons,

I have attached some photos from a video of an area of Long Beach that tourist enter and citizens who live in structures and pay mortgages, taxes, and rents have to drive by on a daily basis. Please examine and view the unsafe and unusable space on public
property that all residents of Long Beach are unable to utilize.

This example is only one of the many examples of poorly maintained public spaces that place all residents in Long Beach in danger. Unfortunately, sidewalk and park campers dangerously jaywalk, leave trash scattered that can easily reach the public
roadway and create dangerous areas for people who live or visit these areas. Because of people who camp, the public places are now not safe and usable for other citizens to enjoy.

Is development money really going to provide a place to house campers? How many rooms are available to house campers? Define compassion? Do only campers deserv
e compassion or do all citizens of Long Beach deserve
compassion? Is there an opportunity to have a picnic in a public park and use a public restroom that is publicly accessible, safe, and usable? Please place “ensuring safe and usable public spaces” on the agenda and vote to have compassion for “all” citiz
ens of Lobg Beach!

53 Life is Good!

Karen Blair
54 Alma Valenzuela
From: Karen Blair <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2023 9:37 AM
To: Council District 1; Council District 2; Council District 3; Council District 4; Council District 5; Council District 6; Council District 7; Council District 8; Council District 9; Mayor; CityClerk Subject: Ensuring safe and usable public spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City Council persons,

This example is only one of the many examples of poorly maintained public spaces that place all residents in Long Beach in danger. Unfortunately, campers dangerously jaywalk, leave trash scattered that can easily reach the public roadway and create da
ngerous areas for people who live nearby. Because of people who camp, the public places are now not safe and usable for other citizens to enjoy.

Is development money really going to provide a place to house campers? How many rooms are available to house campers? Define compassion? Do only campers deserv e compassion or do all citizens of Long Beach deserve compassion? Is there an opportunity to have a picnic in a public park and use a public restroom that is publicly accessible, safe, and usable? Please place “ensuring safe and usable public spaces” on the agenda and vote to have compassion for “all” citize
ns of Lobg Beach!
55 56

57 Life is Good!

Karen Blair
58 Alma Valenzuela
From: Karen Blair <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 9:11 PM
To: Council District 3; Council District 1; Council District 2; Council District 4; Council District 5; Council District 6; Council District 7; Council District 8; Council District 9; Mayor; CityClerk; CityAttorney Subject: San Diego City Council approves ban on homeless encampment in 5-4 vote – One America News Network
‐EXTERNAL‐

hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://www.oann.com/newsroom/san‐diego‐city‐council‐approves‐ban‐on‐homeless‐ encampment‐in‐5‐4‐
vote/__;!!MKV5s95d0OKnVA!rrvcL4IsgSg7av4g2GgJ1tU_bDXQeSd0xy3p9UY32FhLqg_d9k8OtWl1vgHsIuraMCrsrSsdMGD __FY_lgC7vcZTcjlvHg$

Life is Good!

Karen Blair
59 Alma Valenzuela
From: Lenore Rozner <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 9:03 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

Dear City Clerk,

I am in full support of having the discussion regarding opƟons for Long Beach to develop commonsense policies that ensure our communiƟes have access to usable and safe public spaces. RestricƟng camping in certain public areas is key to having people feel comfortable in our lovely city open spaces.

Regards,

Lenore Rozner

Resident of District 3

60 Alma Valenzuela
From: mrs.boerum <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 7:46 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Yes
‐EXTERNAL‐

Public space not for unhoused

‐‐
Linda Dunn Boerum
61 Alma Valenzuela
From: Ian Wecker <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 5:18 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Letter for public space
‐EXTERNAL‐

I would like to show my support for the letter of recommendation titled “Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space", authorized by Councilmembers Duggan, Zendejas, and Supernaw.

The homeless epidemic in our city has gone unchecked for too long. I have had to leave public spaces, primarily playgrounds and parks, due to homeless individuals acting erratically many times. Fearing for their safety, and having to leave parks is not something that should be happening where children are concerned.

The homeless epidemic is Long Beach’s biggest problem, and needs to be addressed.

As a lifelong resident of Long Beach, I ask you to make this step in the right direction and support the efforts of Duggan, Zendejas, and Supernaw.

Thank you,
Ian Wecker
62 Alma Valenzuela
From: Carol Mort <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 5:08 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

Hello,

As a long time Long Beach resident, I fully support the discussion of policy options related to unlawful uses of public spaces, including camping, that contribute to public health issues, nuisance, and public safety concerns. I especially like Las Vegas' policy of making it a misdemeanor to camp or sleep in the public right‐of‐way downtown and in all residential areas if sp ace is available at a shelter.

Thank you!
Carol Mort
63 Alma Valenzuela
From: Barbara Hounsell <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 4:47 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Safety in public parks
‐EXTERNAL‐

I am very interested in ensuring that our public spaces are danger free. I used to feel very comfortable going to the restaurants on the pier and other places in Long Beach ‐‐‐ NO MORE. We need to take control of our open spaces not let the creeps take over. When our cleaners has an e mergency inside sliding lock so the staff can lock the door to keep freighting people out of their store, society has to step up to protect.

Additionally, in the last 6 months I have seen more and more crazy drivers zooming through our neighborhoods passing cars on the right at hig
h speeds and so forth. Where are our police?

Thank you for listening,
Barbara Hounsell
Naples

Sent from Mail for Windows

64 Alma Valenzuela
From: Michael Bohn <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 4:09 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Kristina Duggan; Nick Kaspar
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces
‐EXTERNAL‐

City Clerk’s Office.

My name is Michael Bohn, I’m a long time Long Beach resident and downtown business owner with 160 employees.

I request the City Council support the Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Spaces proposal. Currently many of my employees are not comfortable coming downtown to work. This in turn limits the number of employees that are using our fine downtown restaurants, resulting in many struggling financially. Creating a safer environment for our streets and parks (including Harvey Milk) will make this a better and safer environment for all including the unhoused.

Michael Bohn, AIA

studio-
111.com

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65 Alma Valenzuela
From: PAM SANTELMAN <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 3:55 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Safe availability of public space.
‐EXTERNAL‐

Help us get to use our public spaces

Sent from my iPhone
66 Alma Valenzuela
From: Mike Gehring <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 3:46 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Ensuring Usable and Safe Public Space
‐EXTERNAL‐

To Whom It May Concern‐

I grew up in Long Beach, and graduated from Poly High School in the 1970's. After college, my wife and I worked and raised our children in Westwood, where we experienced an increasing number of homeless people and brazen crimes.

We moved back to my home town 5 year s ago to Naples Island, and I must say, I have seen A LOT of friends and neighbors move out of Long Beach! There are a number of intertwined forces at play:

1) The current political situation is making successful working people feel like targets to be disrespected, forced to provide free ren
tal housing, and taxed further.

2) People who pay the most taxes are considered the enemy. I remind you that ONE‐PERCENT of the people in California pay 50% of the taxes. Many of those people live in Naples and Belmont Shore, where homelessness and lawlessness are increasingl
y rampant. The situation is approaching a tipping point where those who pay for everyone else will be gone.

3) There has been an increasing governmental attitude that is soft on crime and anti‐police. Shoplifting, stealing auto parts, disorderly conduct, trespassing, and burglary are now accepted with little or no punishment.

4)
There is a political attitude that ALL homeless people are victims and need BILLIONS of dollars in free housing. As the stabbing incident on Second Street illustrated, MANY of these individuals are opportunistic and crazy criminals. Westwood Village had two major crimes in the 1980's from which that area NEVER recovered. This situation has major ECONOMIC as well as social implications.

5) Entering a homeless shelter is optional, and most people refuse it so they can keep using drugs. We are tired of elected officials telling us that "your hands are tied"!

I grant you that a homeless person is no
t necessarily a criminal, and that many have truly fallen on hard times. However, there is a huge double‐standard. If I defecated on the sidewalk, masturbated in a business entry, or screamed obscenities at passers‐by, I would be in trouble...and I am the one who pays for all of this.

Go
vernment is so fixated on "helping the homeless" that they are ignoring ALL OF OUR rapidly deteriorating quality of life. This MUST be cleaned up ASAP! Think about your tax‐paying citizens, too! This is a slippery slope where the people who pay the most taxes are disgusted and moving away, while politicians are fantasizing about building more housing...to provide for FREE. Do the math...it will NEVER pencil out.

There is no physical way to build "affordable" housing from the ground up. It's been tried in LA County for $600,000 to $800,000 per unit. This is an ABYSS.

The priority ab
solutely MUST be to IMMEDIATELY clean up the mess! If someone clearly cannot take care of themselves, put them in a place that will provide for their care. And why are there so few beds available? Not enough tax 67 money? The newest facility in Long Beach is proposed to cost over $13 million for just 85 beds, which is more that $150,000 per bed...just to BUILD it. This is extremely inefficient.

If a guy steals a package or a bike, he needs to be sufficiently punished to discourage this behavior. The homeless encampment in
Westminster is a giant party town full of Amazon boxes and stolen bicycles. Every day they wander over to our neighborhood to steal more stuff.

After voting for BILLIONS to solve the problem, the government has to stop shrugging their shoulders and pointing fingers.

May we have our billions dollars back? Or should we stop paying our property taxes?

Mike and Andrea Gehring

Long Beach City CouncilJune 13, 2023

Long Beach City Council
June 13, 2023