"The plan includes significantly increasing police patrols and enforcing misdemeanor ordinances, investing in infrastructure and new community events, and taking a more business-friendly brush to permits and fees. Officials also plan to be more aggressive in making sure property owners maintain unused properties. The blueprint tackles many "quality of life" issues that critics say have contributed to lower foot traffic in the city's tourist districts since the COVID-19 pandemic."
"Hall, 38, is part of a relatively youthful City Council majority that swept into office in recent years as voters opted for new leadership and a fresh approach. Five of the seven council members are millennials, and six members first joined the council in either 2022 or 2024. Also new on the scene is City Manager Oliver Chi, who five months ago was hired away from the same position in Irvine."
"The breadth and depth of the issues became apparent just last month when the city was forced to declare itself in fiscal distress after paying $229 million in settlements related to alleged sexual abuse by Eric Uller, a former city dispatcher. Now, Santa Monica is trying to plot a new path forward. A significant first step could come Tuesday. That's when the City Council is set to consider a plan to reverse its fortunes."
Santa Monica has experienced business departures, high retail and office vacancy rates, dwindling tourist crowds, increased homelessness, and more visible and volatile crime. The city declared fiscal distress after paying $229 million in settlements related to alleged sexual abuse by a former city dispatcher. City leaders propose increasing police patrols, enforcing misdemeanor ordinances, investing in infrastructure and community events, streamlining permits and fees, and pressuring property owners to maintain unused properties. A majority of newly elected, relatively young councilmembers and a recently hired city manager back the plan as an attempt to revive downtown economic activity and public safety.
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