Welcome to the 2025 Smart City Initiative Newsletter, the central hub for news and updates on pilot programs, partnership opportunities, events, and upcoming challenges! 



As summer approaches, we're excited to share updates in LB government technology that enhance community services. This season, we'll highlight new initiatives focused on community engagement, efficiency, and innovation across our City. Join us to discover the advancements making a difference this summer!

Discover Phase Complete - What's Next?

We're excited to announce the successful completion of the Discover phase for the Long Beach Collaboratory (LB Co-Lab) 2025 program! This foundational stage has set the groundwork for community-driven innovation that will help transform Long Beach neighborhoods as we prepare for the 2028 Olympic Games. 

What We Accomplished in the Discover Phase 

• Collected 41 challenge proposals from City staff aligned with 2028 Olympic Games  strategic priorities 
• Gathered community input from over 150 individuals through our citywide poll to select the final challenges 
• Recruited a diverse group of 12 Innovators-in-Residence (IIRs) from the Long Beach community from an applicant pool of over 230! 

The response has been tremendous! With over 300 community members participating in our decision-making process, we're building a truly democratic platform where residents and city officials can collaboratively design solutions addressing real neighborhood needs. 

1. How might we design a community driven security solution to solve this business and community problem?

2. We're seeking to improve and create ways for residents or visitors to access city services, especially vulnerable populations (homeless, seniors, veterans, at risk of becoming homeless.)

3. We seek to encourage and/or assist the property owners to become better stewards of their private land or involve residents to affect positive change.

Introducing the Define Phase 

As we move into the Define phase, we'll narrow our focus and transform the 3 broad challenges into specific, actionable opportunities for innovation.  

Get Involved 

The Define phase represents a critical moment where community voices directly shape the solutions that will improve our neighborhoods. Here's how you can stay engaged:

• Join our ground-truthing activities when IIRs visit your neighborhood 
• Share your insights when approached by our research participants 
• Follow our progress through regular updates on our website and social media 

Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward with the Define phase and our journey to build a more connected, innovative, vibrant Long Beach together! 

Want to learn more about LB Co-Lab 2025? Contact Ryan Welch at Ryan.Welch@longbeach.gov. 

Improving Public Restroom Accessibility

Exciting news, Long Beach! We're launching a four-month pilot with Throne Labs to bring smart, ADA-accessible public restrooms to DeForest Park, Harvey Milk Promenade Park, Belmont Pier, and Shoreline Marina.

These high-tech units include sinks, flushing toilets, baby changing stations, and free menstrual products. This idea came through Pitch Long Beach! and is now a reality thanks to a partnership with the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department.

In just the first month, the restrooms saw over 6,200 visits—with 92% of users rating their experience as “good” or “great,” and 87% reporting they felt safer than in typical public restrooms.

Curious about the tech or how data is managed? Visit the Throne Smart Toilets entry in our Digital Rights Platform for full transparency.

Long Beach's IT Strategic Roadmap (TID 28) is Complete!

We are pleased to share that the Long Beach Technology & Innovation Department's IT Strategic Roadmap (TID28) is complete! The Roadmap outlines 31 strategic initiatives for TID to accomplish in advance of the 2028 Olympic Games, aiming to achieve our vision of becoming "the heart of a connected, secure, and future-ready Long Beach."

We engaged nearly 900 Long Beach residents in the creation of TID28, and we believe the final document accurately reflects the needs, challenges, and opportunities that you shared with us. 



Pitch Long Beach! receives a high volume of proposals and we are focused on implementing several exciting program enhancements this summer to better serve our City staff and vendor community. Our submission form is still open, but please understand that we may not review your pitch until September 1, 2025.



AI isn't slowing down, but that doesn't mean Americans are happy about it. 😟

"More than three-quarters of Americans (77%) want companies to create AI slowly and get it right the first time, even if that delays breakthroughs, the 2025 Axios Harris 100 poll found."

Check out the Digital Inclusion Resource Guide and New Asset Map

The Office of Digital Equity and Inclusion has launched two new tools to help bridge the digital divide: an updated multilingual Digital Inclusion Resource Guide and a new Digital Inclusion Resources Asset Map.

The guide includes information on low-cost internet, computing devices, digital skills training, free public Wi-Fi, and Long Beach Public Library resources—available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Khmer.

The interactive asset map helps residents find local digital inclusion programs by location, type, or need at longbeach.gov/digitalinclusion.

Need help accessing resources? Call the Digital Inclusion Hotline at 562-570-7000 or email digitalinclusion@longbeach.gov. 

Stay Safe While Working Remotely

As a remote employee, securing access to your organization's workplace data is essential to protect its operations. Here's some crucial information to help you maintain data security while working from home:

👩‍💻Dedicated Workspace: 

Create a designated area in your home for work. A designated workspace minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and helps prevent the accidental sharing of sensitive information.

✅Use Authorized Devices and Software:

Always access company networks and data using organization-authorized devices and software. These precautions ensure that you are following consistent security protocols.

🌐Secure Internet Connection: 

Refrain from using public Wi-Fi networks (such as those in coffee shops or libraries). If you must use them, always connect through the company-provided Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure your internet connection.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly enhance the cyber security of your work-related data from home. Stay vigilant and proactive in protecting your organization's information!