City of Long Beach

Welcome Our Four Newly Elected Councilmembers

As of December 17, 2024, all four of the recently elected councilmembers, representing Long Beach’s Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8, have been sworn in for the start of their new terms. Congratulations to returning Councilmembers Allen, Supernaw, and Saro, along with newly elected Councilmember Thrash-Ntuk! Congratulations, as well, to Councilmember Uranga for being named Vice Mayor with an 8-0 vote! I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the entire Council as we work together for the betterment of our city. 

City Celebrates Opening of New Affordable Housing Community for Veterans

On Dec. 18, 2024, the City of Long Beach joined with nonprofit developer Century Affordable Development, Inc. (Century) and other partnering organizations to celebrate the grand opening of The Cove, an affordable housing development that serves low-income and very low-income veterans, including those who have experienced homelessness. This new addition to the Century Villages at Cabrillo community in West Long Beach provides residents with high-quality studio apartment homes and essential on-site supportive services. Read the recent press release for more details.

Donating to our CD5 Veterans Donation Drive will support the tenants in this community. See below to learn more!

Long Beach Police Department

DUI Checkpoint in East Division | Dec. 20

On Dec. 20, 2024 the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driver License (CDL) checkpoint from 6:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. in the East 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. Not sure what Division you're in? Check this map!

Public Works

Holiday Treecycling Dec. 26 - Jan. 10

The Public Works Dept. will once again offer Holiday Treecycling, providing an accessible and responsible way to recycle live trees for Long Beach residents. From Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, through Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, residents can drop off their used trees at 12 locations throughout Long Beach, at no charge.

Convenient options for CD5 residents include our own Wardlow Park, as well as nearby Sherer Park and El Dorado Park.

Please note that residents are asked to remove decorations and tree stands, cut trees in half if they are over 12 feet tall, and leave trees unwrapped.

Residents are strongly encouraged to drop-off used trees at the citywide locations to reduce the strain on refuse collection services following the holiday season. However, there will be a special collection on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, for those unable to visit a drop-off location.

Visit longbeach.gov/lbrecycles or call (562) 570 2869 for more information.

Caltrans

Overnight Closures Dec. 17 - Dec. 21

The CA Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will be conducting overnight closures on U.S. Highway 101 in Encino, I-405 in Sepulveda Pass, as well as I-710 and Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach for utility work. Signs will be posted. Motorists can expect delays.

The work will take place from 9am – 6am, which began on the night of Tuesday, Dec. 17th, and will continue through Saturday morning, Dec. 21st.

Due to weather or operational reasons, the schedule is subject to change including the times and dates of closures, the number of lanes closed and other details.

Residents and businesses located near construction may experience noise, vibrations and dust associated with construction activities. Please visit the Caltrans Quickmap for current road closures and conditions.

Closures that may affect Long Beach residents:

405 Fwy

• Northbound 405 connector to southbound 710
• Southbound 405 connector to northbound 710

710 Fwy

• One lane on northbound 710 from Pacific Coast Highway (PCH/SR-1) to Wardlow Road
• Northbound PCH on-ramp to northbound 710
• Northbound 710 off-ramp to northbound PCH
• Northbound 710 off-ramp to eastbound Willow Street
• Westbound Willow Street on-ramp to northbound 710
• Northbound 710 off-ramp to westbound Willow Street
• Up to two lanes on southbound 710 from Wardlow Road to PCH
• Southbound 710 off-ramp to northbound Wardlow Road

PCH

• Right lane of northbound PCH from 710 to State Route 103

Caltrans reminds drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

Long Beach Transit

Upcoming Holiday Schedules

As you prepare for the upcoming holidays, keep in mind that Long Beach Transit will be operating on modified schedules with reduced service span on Christmas Day (Wed. Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Wed. Jan 1); be sure to check the holiday routes and schedules!

LBT’s Call Center and Transit & Visitor Information Center will operate for reduced hours (from 8am – 5pm) on Christmas Eve (Tues. Dec. 24) and New Year’s Eve (Tues. Dec 31), and will be closed all day on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 

To help you celebrate safely, on Tuesday, Dec. 31st, LBT will be offering complimentary service on all bus routes after 5pm. 

For more information on holiday hours and to view bus schedules, visit LBT’s routes and services page. 

Long Beach Recycles

Recycle Right this Holiday Season

Long Beach Recycles reminds us to be aware of our waste this holiday season! As you may know, many gift-wrapping materials, such as shiny gift bags, gift bows and ribbons, coated wrapping paper, tissue paper, and plastic and foam packaging, are not recyclable.

Decorations can be tricky too, but remember that you should never put holiday lights in your recycling or trash cart! Holiday lights are considered "tanglers" and can cause the equipment at the recycling facility to shut down. Consider reusing or donating unwanted lights before bringing them to an e-waste collection.

Not sure what other holiday items in your home can be recycled in your recycling cart? Check out LB Recycles’ recycling guidelines or email lbrecycles@longbeach.gov with any questions! 

Long Beach Police Department

East Division Commander's Forum | Dec 28

LBPD East Division’s Commander Benson will be holding her final Commander’s Forum of the year on Saturday, Dec. 28th at the East Division Station. Following the forum, East Division will host an open house, offering a wonderful opportunity to tour the station and connect with LBPD’s amazing officers. Families are encouraged to bring their children to both the forum and the open house, where Explorers and Cadets will provide engaging activities, distribute stickers, and offer light refreshments. See the flyer for more info.

Animal Care Services

Coexisting with Coyotes - Reminders & Tips

Seeing a coyote walking down a busy street is not as uncommon as most would think. Contrary to popular belief, coyotes do not require open space to survive, and have successfully adapted to living in close proximity to humans.

Coyotes can be seen anytime but are most active at dusk, nighttime, and dawn. Residents are reminded to follow safeguards to protect pets and property against coyotes.

An Animal Control Officer will respond to coyote calls if the coyote is sick or injured or if there is an attack or threatening behavior toward a person or pet.

Learn more at ACS’s Living with Coyotes page, where you will also find the city’s Coyote Management Plan, and report coyote sightings. If a coyote is posing an imminent threat to life, call 9-1-1.

Long Beach Public Library

Youth Poet Laureate Applications Are Open

Are you a poet between the ages of 13-18? Are you a future leader who champions community advocacy and aspires to make a social impact that promotes the quality of life in Long Beach? If so, we want to hear your voice!

The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL), in collaboration with the Arts Council for Long Beach and supported by Urban Word NYC, is now accepting applications for the 2025 Youth Poet Laureate Program (YPL), an initiative offering young residents of Long Beach the chance to inspire positive change in their communities through the power of activism and poetry.

Applications are now open until Feb. 15; visit longbeach.gov/library/learn/youth-poet-laureate to learn more and apply!

Review the flyer below or our webpage for more information on what to donate and where to find donation bins.

Alternatively, you can support by buying an item from the drive's Amazon Wish List, which will send your donation directly to our office, or by making a monetary donation at lbavcoll.org.

Thanks to all Veterans for your brave and dedicated service, and thanks to all who can participate in our drive this holiday season!