The City Council had an important discussion about public safety last Tuesday during my item written to address specific issues related to Belmont Shore's late night bar scene. My original proposal included: a temporary one-year moratorium on alcohol-serving businesses operating past midnight; a request for information to restore police walking beats and a police substation; and direction to step up enforcement for nuisance crimes such as drinking in public, drunk driving, and illegal vending operations.

During the discussion, Councilmembers raised broader concerns from their districts about violent crime, nuisance activity, and the need for a consistent citywide approach. As a result, my proposal was amended and expanded. Instead of moving forward with a temporary midnight closure, the City Council directed staff to return with permanent operating requirements for alcohol-selling businesses in Belmont Shore open past midnight, in addition to the other elements of my proposal to examine increased police presence and enforcement related to late-night activity. Further, the bars in Belmont Shore are voluntarily closing at midnight for 30 days, which started last weekend.

The Council also added a citywide direction to review violent crime hot spots, the feasibility and cost of LBPD walking beats citywide based on data, and to identify options for stepping up enforcement of nuisance crimes across Long Beach. This is a big win for Long Beach as it reflects a shift in Council direction toward more enforcement across the city.

In the end, we advanced targeted actions for Belmont Shore to address issues related to bar crowds and nuisance issues, while also securing direction that strengthens public safety efforts both in District 3 and Citywide.

Please see the adopted motion below:

[1] Direct City Manager to work with the City Attorney and businesses that sell alcohol and are open after midnight in Belmont Shore to establish formal operating requirements that increase safety and security, while ensuring there is a community engagement process;

[2] Request City Manager to return within 45 days with a late-night public safety plan for the Belmont Shore commercial corridor that provides the feasibility and cost associated with re-establishing LBPD walking beats during high-traffic hours and re-activating the police sub-station in Belmont Shore; Implements additional DUI enforcement in Belmont Shore at regular intervals aligned with peak egress times of bar patrons; and Enhances targeted late-night enforcement of nuisance issues, including public drinking and unauthorized vendor operations;

[3] Request the City Manager return within 90 days with a report that looks at Citywide data driven hot spot analysis of violent crime, include smoke shops and liquor stores in addition to bars, and provides options to address same; Examines the feasibility and cost of LBPD walking beats citywide based on data; Examines options for enhanced enforcement of nuisance issues citywide based on crime data at peak hours with a citywide approach [not just late night enforcement because peak times in some parts of the City are different for nuisance issues, including public drinking and unauthorized vendor operations].

The City of Long Beach hosted a community meeting to discuss the Marine Debris and Trash Capture System Project Feasibility Study. The project will evaluate a range of trash removal technologies and identify the best locations to intercept debris in the lower Los Angeles River before it reaches our ocean. This effort supports the City’s sustainability goals by reducing pollution in our waterways, beaches, and coastal environment while protecting the ecosystem and the quality of life for residents and visitors in Long Beach.

Long Beach has issued a rain advisory for beaches and bays due to recent rainfall. Runoff can create unhealthy water conditions, so residents are advised to avoid swimming or water contact for at least 72 hours after the rain has stopped. The advisory will be extended if rain continues.

The Long Beach Turkey Trot is looking for volunteers to help with activities such as setup, registration, and staffing water stations. Volunteer spots are open for Wednesday, November 26, and Thursday, November 27. If you’d like to volunteer, sign up using the link below.

Last weekend I attended the Naples Island Garden Club’s Annual Veterans Day Commemoration. It was an honor to recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans who have bravely served our country.

The City of Long Beach’s new “MyUtilityPortal” has launched! Please visit www.longbeach.gov/MyUtilityPortal to set up your new log-in (user name and password) to access your account. 

Key features of MyUtilityPortal include: 

• 24/7 account access to view water, sewer, gas, and refuse billing and usage 
• Projected bill estimates based on real-time usage patterns 
• Online service scheduling, reducing the need to call for appointments 
• Customizable alerts and notifications to stay on top of account activity and service updates 

This new digital platform will empower Long Beach utility customers to manage their water, sewer, natural gas, and refuse services all in one place. 

Customers who currently pay in-person may continue to do so at Long Beach City Hall (411 West Ocean Boulevard between 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM) or at their local 7-Eleven, CVS, Walgreens, Dollar Tree, Food4Less, or Ralphs locations. Customers wishing to continue customer service options via telephone may continue to call (562) 570-5700 to make their utility bill payment.

For utility bill assistance, please visit lbutilities.org/billhelp or contact the City of Long Beach at 562-570-5700.

Assistant Fire Chief Karen Rindone was one of nine awardees, “The Magnificent Nine,” recognized at this year’s Kick-Ass Women (KAW) 2025 event. It was an honor to celebrate her achievement and join Laura and Bella in supporting Scouting America as they continue empowering youth in our community.

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is seeking 350 volunteers for the 2026 Point in Time Count, an annual event that surveys people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

This communitywide effort helps guide local programs and strengthen the City’s response to homelessness. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete a two-hour orientation (virtual or in person), and commit to a four-hour early morning shift beginning at 4:30 a.m.

Volunteer registration is open until all spots are filled. Those who register after capacity is reached will be placed on a waitlist.

This week, I received questions about the December 2024 City Measure A vote and the recent court ruling against the City. For context, Long Beach voters approved extending City Measure A in 2020, which outlined when future increases to the city’s sales tax rate would occur. The original plan, approved by voters, was to raise the sales tax in October 2027 when Measure H ended.

The City initially believed the increase was tied to the end of Measure H and would be automatically triggered when voters repealed Measure H and replaced it with Los Angeles County Measure A last November. An emergency Council meeting was later called in December 2024 to formally approve the change.

I opposed County Measure A, which repealed and replaced Measure H, because it raised the sales tax on Long Beach residents to new highs. During the December 12 meeting, I debated for more than an hour about why I did not believe this early increase was appropriate. When it became clear the City was moving forward regardless of my vote, my focus shifted from fighting the tax increase to giving District 3 the best chance to secure additional funding if the tax was going to be collected anyway. This is why I ultimately voted yes. The court ruled the sales tax increase was tied to the specific date of October 2027 rather than the end of Measure H.

For those interested in watching the Council discussion, please watch the December 12, 2024 Council meeting below.

The Adaptive Freedom Foundation held Waves of Ability at Marine Stadium, a celebration of adaptive sports, wellness, and community. It was an inspiring event where people of all abilities came together to celebrate inclusion, movement, and community.

LA28 has released the official competition schedule for the 2028 Olympic Games confirming that Long Beach will host 161 ticketed events across 11 sports for 17 out of the 19 days of the Games. Long Beach will be welcoming athletes and visitors from all around the world and showcasing our coastal community.

This week, I joined the Naples Improvement Association's Annual Membership Meeting. I shared updates on the Keep Long Beach Oil Revenue Local initiative, efforts to reduce trash coming back the Los Angeles River, updates on infrastructure projects, and preparing for increased traffic during the holidays.

Join the District 3 team as we kick off the holiday season with our annual Poinsettia Planting! We’re inviting residents to volunteer on Tuesday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as we brighten our roundabouts with festive poinsettias. All plants will be provided, and tools are available upon request. Register using the link below and help bring some holiday cheer to our community!

The Food Giveaway at Veterans Stadium has been rescheduled to Friday, November 21, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Up to 4,000 households are expected to receive assistance. Volunteers are essential to making this event a success, if you’re able to help, please sign up using the link below.

For more food pantries in Long Beach and across LA County, visit www.lafoodbank.org/findfood.

CalKIDS is a children’s savings account program administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, an agency of the State of California. CalKIDS will provide each child born in California and eligible low-income public school students with up to $1,500 for college and career training.

There are two eligible groups for this program with unique benefits:

Up to $1,500 for 3.6 Million Eligible California Students:*

• $500 Automatic Deposit: Eligible low-income public school students.
• $500 Additional Deposit: Eligible low-income public school students identified as foster youth.
• $500 Additional Deposit: Eligible low-income public school students identified as homeless.

Up to $175 for Newborns:

• $25 or $100 Automatic Deposit: Every eligible child born between July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 receives $25. As a result of additional funding, babies born after July 1, 2023 receive $100. 
• $25 Additional Deposit: Those who register on the program’s online portal.
• $50 Additional Deposit: Those who link a new or existing ScholarShare 529 account to their CalKIDS account.

Visit www.calkids.org to see if your child is eligible and claim your account. 

* Student eligibility is defined by the Local Control Funding Formula.