Recent Council Item

Item 17: ASE System Pilot Next Steps

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, my colleagues and I passed Item 17, approving the next steps for the implementation of the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Pilot Program as permitted by AB645. Public Works Director Josh Hickman shared a presentation, outlining the program parameters, the now-adopted System Use Policy (SUP) and System Impact Report (SIR), and the now-awarded contract for the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of the ASE Systems. We are taking lesson learned from cities who are ahead of us in implementation, and we are piggybacking off of the City of Oakland's contracts in order to expedite the implementation and get the program started in Long Beach as soon as possible. From here, we expect the implmentation timeline as follows:

• Early 2026: install speed feedback signs and conduct speed counts
• Spring 2026: Devices & additional signage deployed; begin minimum 30-day public information campaign
• Summer 2026: System activation & 60-day warning period
• Fall 2026: Citation period begins 
  

As stages move along, my team and I will continue to amplify any further updates on this timeline in our newsletters. I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the public comment period to share your input on this important safety program, and thank the Public Works team for all the hard work on bringing us to this stage. To learn more, review the recent item, watch the Council presentation and discussion, and check out the Public Works Dept’s ASE program webpage, where you can sign up for direct project updates.

Long Beach Police Department

North Division DUI Checkpoint TONIGHT Dec. 19

The Long Beach Police Department will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driver License (CDL) checkpoint from 6pm – 2am tonight, Dec. 19, in the North Division area. DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road. Learn more in the recent press release.

Health & Human Services

Public Notice: LB Open Coastal Areas Temporarily Closed Due to Sewage Spill

Long Beach Acting City Health Officer, Dr. Cliff Okada has ordered the temporary closure of all open coastal swimming areas in Long Beach due to sewage spills that occurred in the City of Industry and discharged into the San Gabriel River due to railway installation work that cut through a pipe. The City of Long Beach Health Department’s Recreational Water Quality Environmental Health Specialists are monitoring water quality in our coastal beaches. State law requires temporary closure and posting at beaches in these situations, out of an abundance of caution, until the water quality meets State requirements.

Learn more in the recent press release. For the latest status on Long Beach recreational beach water quality, the public may call the Water Hotline at 562.570.4199 or visit longbeach.gov/beachwaterquality. 

Public Works Department

Fire Station 9 Updates

Earlier this week, my team and I took a hard-hat tour to check out current progress of the new Fire Station 9 construction site, located at 4101 Long Beach Blvd. This project is part of the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan and funded largely by Measure A revenue. The upgraded facilities will not only support improved operations and quality of life for firefighters on shift, but will also serve as the new main office for our area’s Battalion Chief, which will improve response times and help streamline larger-scale incident operations. Other planned project features will include the installation of new smart traffic signals at the intersection of Long Beach Blvd. and Randolph Pl., alley improvements on the north side of the facility, upgraded sidewalks and landscaping, and a community conference room available for public gatherings. Currently, construction is progressing steadily, as crews work on undergrounding powerlines and connecting the site to permanent power, and plan to finalize roofing to make the site “weather tight” as we progress through the winter season. Barring inclement weather or other unforeseen delays, we expect completion of this project to come in the summer of 2026. In the meantime, our office will continue to share any updates as we receive them, and more info can be found on the Public Works project webpage. 

Long Beach Police Department

New North Division PRO Caleb Jackson

Join me in congratulating Officer Caleb Jackson, our new North Division Patrol Resource Officer! Every LBPD Patrol Division has a Patrol Resource Officer (PRO) to help lead and manage day-to-day operations and to work closely with the community by attending meetings, events, and forums to hear concerns and discuss opportunities for increased public safety. LBPD Chief Hebeish and North Division Commander Isiah Hughes have selected Officer Caleb Jackson as North’s next PRO, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him to this role in our community. While North Division extends outside of CD5 bounds, it covers the west side of our district, including the neighborhoods of Los Cerritos, Bixby Knolls, Bixby Highlands, and Cal Heights. We look forward to working with PRO Jackson to serve the needs of our communities! 

Long Beach Public Library

Yeti, Set, Read! Youth Winter Reading Challenge

The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) is hosting Yeti, Set, Read!: A Winter Reading Challenge! Participants in grades PreK through 8th can sign up for free using the Beanstack website or mobile app.

The challenge runs from Saturday, December 13, 2025, through Saturday, January 31, 2026. Participants will earn a prize for reading 5 books and another for completing 10. Readers who complete 10 books will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a special grand prize!

Early Learning Hub

Wrap Up the Year with a Fresh Start for Your Child's Learning

The Long Beach Early Learning Hub helps families connect to childcare, explore financial assistance options, and enroll in care with one universal application that links families to 140+ local providers. Create an account and apply today to find a childcare program that fits your family’s needs—local scholarships may also be available for qualifying families, as funding allows. Learn more at www.thehublb.org

Technology & Innovation Department

Discover Your Long Beach Digital RIghts!

Are you interested in understanding how Long Beach’s tech works and the data it collects? The Technology & Innovation Department (TID) is excited to announce a new series of short edutainment videos in partnership with 7Sun Media! These videos are designed to provide clear information, explain civic tech, and spark important discussions on technology. Watch the first video at lbcity.info/civictech and visit longbeach.gov/digitalrights to learn more.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Winter Class Schedule | Classes Begin Jan. 5

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSULB is excited to share their Winter 2026 Schedule, offering more than 90 classes designed for adults 50 and over—with no tests, grades, or homework! There’s something for everyone classes both in person and online, covering topics from computer and tech skills, art and crafting, music, fitness and wellness, and much more. Visit csulb.edu/olli to learn more and review the class schedule. Registration is open and classes begin on Monday, Jan. 5.

Public Works Department

Holiday Treecycling | Dec. 26 - Jan 9

As many families are in the process of decorating for the holidays, rest assured that the City of Long Beach will once again offer free Holiday Treecycling, providing an accessible and responsible way to recycle live trees for residents. From Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, residents can drop off their used trees at 13 locations throughout Long Beach, at no charge.

Holiday trees are NOT accepted in organics carts as they are too heavy and bulky. To ensure the trees are diverted from landfills, residents are encourage to drop of their trees at any of the 13 locations listed on the flyer. Locations in and near CD5 include:

• Wardlow Park – Monlaco Rd. at Rutgers Ave., 90808
• Scherer Park – 49th St. at Del Amo Blvd., 90807
• El Dorado Park – 2760 N Studebaker Rd. (at South parking lot, behind admin building), 90815

Residents are asked to remove all decorations and stands, and cut any trees over 12’ tall in half. For those who aren’t able to drop trees off, a one-time special collection will occur on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Residents with refuse, recycling, and organics collection service must place trees at their regular collection location by 7am on Jan 10 to have their live tree collected. Learn more in recent press release.

Immigration Enforcement Resources

Whistlemania! LBC

With the US Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity continuing to occur throughout our region, it’s increasingly important for everyone, including our immigrant communities, to know their rights and have access to resources. While immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, we understand that the current actions are continuing to escalate tensions and can undermine trust within our neighborhoods. All residents of Southern California and Long Beach deserve to live in peace and with a sense of security, regardless of their background.

I and the City of Long Beach remain committed to upholding the dignity and rights of every person. As evidenced by our Council-supported Long Beach Values Act, we remain committed to work alongside community organizations to ensure that all who call Long Beach home feel safe, supported, and valued. For more information on the Long Beach Values act, visit: longbeach.gov/valuesact.

Local CD5 residents and business owners are forming Whistlemania! LBC inspired by the grassroots efforts in Chicago and other cities to increase awareness of continued unjust detainments, to report and warn one another of ICE activity, to ensure everyone knows their rights, and to inspire solidarity and support for immigrant communities. Learn more and find ways you can join the efforts at the Whistlemania! LBC link tree.

If you witness ICE activity that you’d wish to report, text or call the 24/7 Rapid Response Hotline at 213-444-6562.