Long Beach Police Department

DUI Checkpoint in East Division TONIGHT

Tonight, Feb. 27, 2026, the Long Beach Police Department will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driver License (CDL) checkpoint from 6pm – 2am in the East Division area.

LBPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Learn more in the recent press release.

Reminder: CD5 is covered by 3 different LBPD Patrol Divisions. Not sure where your home is located? Check this map to find out! 

District 5 Office

CD5 Community Meeting Recap

Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s CD5 Community Meeting at the Expo Arts Center! We had a great turnout and learned about the ways the Community Crisis Response (CCR) Team and the Fire Department respond to calls and support our communities in times of need.

Made up of a civilian team of registered nurses and mental health clinicians, the CCR Team discussed the types of calls they are dispatched to handle, such as calls to the Non-emergency Line (562-435-6711) for suicidal individuals, public intoxication, welfare checks, and other nonemergency or non-life-threatening mental health crises, where LBPD or LBFD resources are not necessarily the most appropriate response. They also shared how calm, clear descriptions of observations when you are on the phone with dispatch helps ensure the best response unit will be dispatched in the timeliest manner possible. Fire Chief Buchanan and Deputy Chief Farley then provided an overview of departmental resources, including who may be arriving on scene depending on the nature of a call for service, whether it be firefighters or paramedics, advanced life support or basic life support, ambulances or engines, or in many cases, some combination of all! They also reminded us how crucial every second is in terms of response times, and how improving or increasing resources in one area of the city helps support the increasing needs of our growing population citywide. They look forward (as we all do!) to the opening of the new Fire Station 9 on Long Beach Blvd this summer, which will help reduce response times in our area, and in turn improve the citywide emergency response system as a whole.

If you missed this one, I encourage you to save the date (and optionally RSVP) for next month’s meeting! On Thursday, March 26th, we will be back for another CD5 Community Meeting at the Wardlow Park Community Center (3457 Stanbridge Ave), where the Public Works Department will join us to discuss infrastructure and traffic safety. We hope to see you there! 

Public Works Department

Studebaker Rd. Transformation Project Latest Updates

Due to storm-related delays, street construction pertaining to the Studebaker Rd. Transformation project is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 2nd, in the “Segment 3 area,” between the I-405 and Wardlow Rd. While this segment is mainly located within the Fourth District and along our shared Council District boundaries, we know many residents utilize this corridor for travel to and from the I-405 and El Dorado Park.

Construction activities are scheduled to take place Mondays – Fridays from 7am to 4pm. “No Parking” signs will be posted a minimum of three days prior to the start of construction in affected areas. As work gets underway, be sure to drive carefully, follow all posted signage, and plan ahead for potential delays in traffic.

As a reminder, this segment indicates the beginning of “Phase 1” of the multi-phased transformation project. As construction progresses through additional phases, particularly those segments affecting the Fifth District, our office will continue to amplify updates as we receive them from Public Works. In the meantime, learn more about the project and sign up for direct updates from Public Works at the project website.

Upcoming Council Items

Item 27: House Numbers on Curbs

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, I will bring forward Item 27, calling for an update to the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) section referencing “House Numbers on Curbs.” Over the past three years, numerous reports have been submitted to my office describing a pattern of unauthorized individuals or organizations painting or repainting residents’ house numbers on curbs, without the residents’ knowledge or consent, and subsequently harassing residents for payment. This unsettling and unwelcome practice has proved difficult to mitigate thus far due to the current lack of clear provisions in the LBMC. I am bringing forward this request to update the LBMC to clarify the correct process for authorized curb painting and to provide an enforceable mechanism to limit the unsolicited painting activity. Review the item details to learn more and if you wish to submit your public comment via email, you may do so by emailing cityclerk@longbeach.gov.


Item 28: Traffic Safety

Along with my colleagues Councilwoman Allen and Councilwoman Zendejas, I will be bringing forward Item 28, which includes several requests to Public Works related traffic engineering and traffic safety. In summary, the item requests Public Works (1) pursue outside contracts to assist and expedite traffic engineering projects; (2) complete traffic evaluation requests and provide regular updates; (3) bring all minor traffic safety improvement projects to Council on a quarterly basis; (4) provide a presentation to Council of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program Update (as previously heard at the Mobility, Ports, and Infrastructure (MPI) Committee per my request as Chair); and (5) provide a presentation updating and modernizing the city's Vision Zero goals to the MPI Committee. We are hopeful these recommendations will help streamline Public Works processes around these kinds of projects, and will help continue to keep all of us informed of ongoing progress towards improving traffic safety citywide. Review the item details to learn more and if you wish to submit your public comment via email, you may do so by emailing cityclerk@longbeach.gov.

Energy & Environmental Services

Ongoing Blue Recycling Bin Exchange

As a reminder, the ongoing blue recycling cart exchange as required by Senate Bill 1383 began earlier this month. Have you gotten your new Blue Recycling Bin yet? If not, check out the below Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for some reminders on why this swap is occurring, and what to expect throughout the exchange process.

When will I receive my Blue Recycling Bin? The process of exchanging bins has already begun, and it expected to take approximately 6 – 8 months. Your bin will be delivered on your regular service day, from its regular locations. For an approximate idea of your delivery date, check out the interactive map on the Recycling FAQs webpage.

Why am I getting a new blue bin? The State of California’s mandatory Short‑Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (SB 1383) requires all communities to use carts with specific colors and labels indicating what materials belong in each cart. All recycling carts in the state must be blue.


What goes in the blue bin? There is no change to the recycling guidelines. The same items previously accepted in the purple recycling cart can be placed in the blue recycling cart. For more info, review the City's Recycling Guidelines. 


What if I received a blue bin but the purple one was not picked up? Place your purple recycling cart at your regular service location. The entire delivery area will be rechecked by the recycling cart recovery team twice within the same 24‑hour period and again the following week on the regular service day to recover any purple carts that were not set out earlier. There is no need to call the City if you forget to leave out your purple recycling cart on the day your blue recycling cart arrives. Simply set it out later that day or on your next service day.

What happens to the purple bin? All purple recycling carts will be collected and returned to the manufacturer for recycling. The materials will be responsibly processed and reused to produce new carts. To learn how the cart manufacturer recycles the carts, visit their website by clicking this link: Sustainable Waste Management Solutions | Rehrig Pacific.

Will my service cost more with the new cart? There is no additional cost to swap your purple recycling cart for the new blue recycling cart. You will receive the same number and size of carts you currently have; only the color and design will change. Costs to implement this unfunded State mandate are in part supported by the City’s current contract with WM, the vendor that collects the City’s recycling, and any additional costs were factored in the cost-of-service increase that went into effect last August.

Learn more about the recycling bin exchange and find more answers to FAQs at the Recycling FAQs Webpage.

Long Beach Animal Care Services

Coyote Season is upon us

The Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) team reminds us that as springtime approaches, residents should expect to see an increase in coyote activity during the coming months, as it’s pup-rearing season and coyotes are more active while hunting for their litters.

LBACS follows a science-based Coyote Management Plan that focuses on coexistence with our native wildlife neighbors. This approach to coyote management is based on balancing respect for and protection of wildlife and their habitats, while prioritizing public safety for people and pets.

To keep pets protected, pet owners are encouraged to:

• Always keep pet cats indoors.
• Never leave small dogs unattended in yards.
• Always use a short leash when walking your dogs.
• Do not leave pet food outside.

While sighting of a coyote(s) is not an immediate cause for alarm, community members are encouraged to follow the below guidance if a sighting occurs:

• Do not run.
• Stand your ground and make yourself appear as large and loud as possible by stomping your feet, throwing rocks or tennis balls, spraying with water hose or pepper spray.
• If a coyote is posing an imminent threat to life, call 9-1-1.
• Report bold or aggressive behavior via the Go Long Beach online portal or app or via the Coyote Incident online form. LBACS tracks these reports and coordinates directly with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize public safety and address any aggressive activity.

As part of the coexisting strategy, LBACS animal control officers do not pick up healthy wildlife, though they may intercede for sick or injured coyotes, if the animal is contained or immobile. Learn more about coyotes and other local urban wildlife at the LBACS Wildlife Program webpage. 

Parks, Recreation, & Marine

Agents of Discovery

The Parks, Recreation, & Marine (PRM) department is encouraging the community to explore the outdoors, get active, and learn about local parks by participating in one of several missions available through Agents of Discovery, a free educational mobile gaming platform. Users can participate in interactive themed missions, compete in challenges, and earn rewards, all while exploring some of our local parks. The currently featured parks include CD5’s Willow Springs Park, as well as nearby El Dorado Park. Learn more in the recent press release. 

Congressman Robert Garcia

2026 Congressional Art Contest for High School Students

The 2026 Congressional Art Competition for High School Students is officially underway! Congressman Garcia is hosting his 4th annual contest this spring. The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol, and the winning artist will be invited to Washington, D.C., where they will represent their city and school.

Submissions are now open! All students attending a school within California’s 42nd Congressional District, regardless of where they reside, are invited to participate. Students residing in the district but not attending school in CA-42 are also eligible. The deadline is April 8, 2026, by 11:59pm. You can view the form and the submission instructions here.

Public Works

Before & After Photos | Expo Arts Center & Dana Branch Library

As those who attended last night’s CD5 Community Meeting may have noticed, the Expo Arts Center underwent some facility improvements towards the end of last year. Thanks to Measure A funding, the carpets were entirely replaced in the main space, new overhead lighting was installed, and other improvements were made to support the wide variety of community events and activities that take place in this heavily used space, an over $1M Measure A infrastructure project.

Late last year, we also were able to identify funding to support repairing the roof at Dana Branch Library, after heavy storms revealed weaknesses resulting in leaks. Check out the before and after comparisons of these improvements to important Fifth District facilities! 

Rotary Club of Long Beach

Camp Enterprise | April 9-11

The Rotary Club of Long Beach invites local high school students to join Camp Enterprise this spring! Every year since 1992, the Rotary Club has provided this free 3-day program at Camp Oakes to give local high school students hands-on experience in creating their own business. Students will participate in outdoor activities, business workshops, pitch competitions, and mentorship from successful local entrepreneurs. This opportunity is open to any Long Beach area high school student who wants to learn; no prior business experience required! Learn more at rotarylongbeach.org/youth-service and submit your application today!