Despite City Hall's longstanding efforts to get motorists out of their cars, two-thirds of municipal employees continue to drive alone to work and to park Downtown for free, the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) reported Tuesday.

The slow-growth group based its findings -- which it called "astonishing" -- on a June 2019 survey of municipal employees' commuting habits it obtained from the City under the Pubic Records Act.

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/February-2020/02_11_2020_Two_Thirds_of_City_Workers_Continue_Driving_Alone_to_Work.html

by Police Chief Cynthia Renaud

Overall, crime is trending downwards in Santa Monica and has been for the last thirteen months. Now, this does not mean that crime is not happening, or the perception of crime is non-existent. Even though it has been the lowest it has been, I understand, our residents have concerns about the types of crime happening in our City and the perception of those crimes.  

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/Santa-Monica-Police-Departments-2019-Crime-Update

Through Dec. 31, 2020.

Read More: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2019/12/23/governor-newsom-issues-executive-order-to-support-communities-recovering-from-wildfires-2/

After reaching a historically low level in 2014, the rate of Part 1 crime, which include murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, theft, grand theft auto and arson, rose 29% between 2015 and 2018. But in 2019, Part 1 crime fell by 16%.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/breakdown/185937

Santa Monica is planning to makeover its portion of Wilshire Boulevard.

The 2.4-mile stretch of Wilshire has been the site of six traffic-related fatalities and 29 severe injuries over the past 11 years, prompting local officials to propose adding a suite of safety improvements to the street that could range from $11.5 to $22 million. The proposal City Council will vote on Tuesday includes a short-term plan to improve the road’s signage, crosswalks, crossing signals and medians over a one to two year period.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/safety-improvements-announced-for-wilshire-boulevard/185935

When passed, the Rental Affordability Act will remove current restrictions in state law, giving cities and counties the power to implement and expand rent control policies that limit how much rents can increase each year. It would allow local communities to:

• Expand rent control to more buildings while exempting newly constructed buildings.
• Exempt Single-Family homeowners who own up to two homes.
• Allow limits on rent increases when a new renter moves in.

Read More: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200202005037/en/California's-Rental-Affordability-Act-Heading-November-Ballot!

Editor’s note: Primer is an ongoing series of stories providing readers with background on an institution, law, issue or trend that impacts Santa Monica. To suggest a topic, email editor@smdp.com.

The streets of Santa Monica are filled with homeless people in desperate need of housing and services, but only those with the most severe mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders can be forced into inpatient treatment.

The Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act, California’s guiding conservatorship law, allows an individual to be involuntarily confined and treated if they are a danger to themself, a danger to others or gravely disabled because of their mental illness. An individual is considered gravely disabled if they are unable to provide their own food, clothing or shelter, have no third party to help them meet those basic needs and are unwilling or unable to accept treatment.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/primer-conservatorship/185874

1547-7th Street was built 15 years ago, but NMS will tear it down anyway, to add 100 apt Units.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2020/02/08/news/nms-to-tear-down-new-four-story-building-at-1547-7th-street-and-build-8-stories/4422.html

~ The city’s well-being index for 2019 notes that only 20% of Santa Monica residents feel that they have any influence over city decisions. Think of this astounding statistic: 68% of our city’s residents have thought about moving out of Santa Monica in the past three years. Is there any wonder when residents face sky-high taxes? The astronomical sales tax, utility tax, and the doubling of water rates are among the burdens we face living in Santa Monica. Also, there is a helplessness residents feel when it takes months to get a simple permit through city hall or get transparency from our city administration about veiled, back-room decisions.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/02/survival-at-the-edge-of-the-sea/

Event free for Santa Monica residents for the first time ever 

For the first time ever, the Chamber of Commerce and City of Santa Monica’s State of the City will be free for Santa Monica residents. 

“Starting several years ago in discussions with City Managers, we wanted to make sure this event was inclusive and the information that was being provided by the City and the Chamber was available for everyone,” said Laurel Rosen, CEO of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. 

At the January 14 Santa Monica City Council meeting, Mayor Kevin McKeown and Councilmember Greg Morena initiated a request for funds to allow residents to attend State of the City at no cost. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2020/02/big-change-for-state-of-city/