1 David Yakobson
From: John Cyrus Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:39 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems; [email protected]; Elaine Polachek Subject: Council Meeting Item 2. Public Input (Consent Calendar Item 4F-Camping Ordinance) Attachments: 1 MILES FENCED.jpg; 2 RP REED PROGRESS LTR TO CC 110824.pdf; 3 CAMERA AT REED.jpg; 5 WILMONT BIBLE EYSORE 2.jpg; 7 WILMONT EVENT.JPG; 8 SMDP CAMP SPIKE.PNG; 4 POLICE AT REED.jpg; 6 BIBLE EYESORE FENCED.jpg
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor, Council and interim City Manager,
Please pull this consent item for discussion and reconsider any changes to the camping ordinance. I will use the attached (and numbered items) 8 items in my comments tonight and have asked the City Clerk to have them ready.
Before then, please keep this in mind...
"Good intentions often have unintended consequences."
Thank you,
John Cyrus Smith
[email protected]
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Recreation and Parks Commission
November 8, 2024
Mayor and City Council Members
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica,CA 90401
Re: Public Safety at Reed Park
Dear Mayor, Council Members and City Manager,
The Recreation and Parks Commission recently received a wide-ranging public safety update on Reed Park following a homicide in an alley nearby. The Commission asked for the briefing because members feel the city and police department have made recent progress in addressing some of the public safety challenges that have plagued the park at various times for decades.
That progress includes:
--Funding for the planned re-imagining of the Miles Playhouse and areas around it…
--The installation of a new hi-tech video surveillance system… --A noticeable and increased police presence during peak daylight hours to discourage and prevent open drug use and smoking at the park… --Successful efforts by Code Enforcement to force the owner of an eyesore property across from Reed to fence off and secure the property so it is no longer a hangout for homeless populations…
--A recent SCOTUS ruling and Council action to dissuade flagrant camping in parks…
--A series of fun, family-oriented summer music and movie events at Reed cosponsored by the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition with financial support from the city and SMPD…
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
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Ever since the last event in mid-September, the Santa Monica Police Department has worked to prioritize putting a Public Safety Officer at the park during daylight hours whenever possible. Flagrant drug use at the park has lessened substantially since. Encouraged by the positive changes and recent developments, the Commission discussed and voted, 7-0, to make the following recommendations:
--Consider new, strategic signage that specifically targets illegal activities such as “No Drug Use Allowed”, “No Smoking Permitted” and “This Park is under Video Surveillance”…
--Continued Public Service Officer “rollcalls” as much as possible… --Continued PSO presence during daylight hours as much as possible… --A return to two-person Ambassador teams whenever possible… --Consider a return of city-sponsored events such as “Meet Me At Reed” or perhaps a new series of Saturday concerts in June or July similar to “Americana in the Park” at Gandara…
--The creation of “tree aprons” around certain trees in the center of the park to protect them from root compression and to discourage day-camping by groups of individuals who frequent the park…
--A possible police substation/work station at the park if space/resources are available…
We recognize and appreciate all the work the Council, city staff and SMPD are doing to help make Reed Park more inviting and appealing to everyone. We believe the above recommendations will go a long way towards that goal.
Sincerely,
Chair Steven Johnson
Recreation and Parks Commission
Item 4-F
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1 David Yakobson
From: Robert Vartan <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:24 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Strong Opposition to Proposed Amendment to SMMC Section 4.08.095
EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed amendment to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.08.095, which seeks to remove the prohibition on sleeping bags and bedrolls for unhoused individuals in public spaces.
I am deeply concerned that this amendment will have serious negative consequences for public safety, public health, and the overall well-being of Santa Monica residents, visitors, and business owners.
Public Safety Risks
Santa Monica is already facing significant challenges regarding crime, drug use, and public disturbances related to its growing homeless and transient population. By allowing sleeping bags, bedrolls, and other comfort items, this amendment removes a deterrent against large encampments forming in public spaces, increasing risks such as:
Higher crime rates, including theft, vandalism, and drug-related incidents in public areas. Unsafe environments in parks, sidewalks, and commercial districts, making public spaces less accessible for families, residents, and tourists.
Greater strain on law enforcement resources, diverting attention from other critical safety concerns.
Public Health Hazards
Homeless and transients are widely recognized public health risks, and loosening these regulations will likely lead to:
Increased waste accumulation, including human waste, used needles, and trash, which pose serious sanitation issues.
Greater exposure to communicable diseases, as makeshift sleeping areas create unsanitary conditions that facilitate the spread of illnesses.
Higher risks of fires and other hazards, as bedding materials and cooking increase the potential for destructive incidents.
Impact on Santa Monica's Future & Regional Consequences Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
2 This amendment does not address the root causes of homelessness—it merely makes Santa Monica a more attractive destination for unhoused individuals, particularly when neighboring cities have implemented stricter policies. If this measure is adopted:
Santa Monica will likely experience an influx of homeless individuals from surrounding areas, exacerbating existing problems.
Nearby municipalities, with stricter enforcement policies, may divert their homeless populations to Santa Monica, further burdening local resources. Residents, visitors, and businesses may avoid Santa Monica due to safety concerns, impacting the city’s economy and reputation.
New City Council's Campaign Promises vs. This Amendment During their campaigns, the newly elected City Council members strongly emphasized their commitment to addressing and reducing homelessness in Santa Monica. Voters supported them based on their pledges to implement effective solutions that would restore safety, order, and livability to our city.
This amendment, however, directly contradicts those promises by enacting policies that will likely increase the presence and deteriorate public spaces. If this measure passes, it will signal to residents that these commitments were merely political rhetoric rather than actionable policy.
I appreciate your time and consideration of these concerns. I look forward to hearing how the City Council plans to address this matter in a way that prioritizes the will of the majority of lawabiding taxpayers in the Santa Monica community.
Sincerely,
Robert
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Dustin Shahan <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Support Item 4F
EXTERNAL
Good morning Council,
As stated below for the previous meeting, I still encourage your support for this item.
Dustin Shahan
90401
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Dustin Shahan <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Jan 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Subject: Support Item 16K
To: <[email protected]>
Good evening council,
Please support item 16K. Sleeping bags and pillows are not a threat to anyone in this city, and if that's an individual's only crime the police have better things to do. There are plenty of other reasons to justify intervening for issues that are actually impacting public safety.
Dustin Shahan
90401
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Jacob Wasserman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 1:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Cc: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell
Subject: In Support: Item 4F
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
As a voter, resident, and parent, I support the proposed ordinance in Item 4.F. The existing municipal code is cruel, and it saddens me deeply to see our welcoming City have on the books a both literal and figurative blanket ban. It is time to repeal it.
The existing code criminalizes people with no other place to go, for merely seeking shelter when they otherwise lack anywhere else safe to sleep. It does nothing to solve homelessness, merely forcibly pushing people from place to place. It wastes our tax dollars while accomplishing very little. Legal scholars have argued that such ordinances violate basic human rights. The crisis requires far more beds and shelter space than we have available.
I hate to see the City side with the conservative wing of the Supreme Court here.
Having had unhoused people take shelter in my car ports before, and living myself just next door to a residence housing the formly unhoused, I know that compassion is needed and that our unhoused neighbors simply want a home first and foremost.
Thank you for this move in the right direction.
Jacob Wasserman
11th and Washington
90403
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025
Item 4-F
February 25, 2025