Police Did Not Expect Looting, Demonstrations Sunday, Chief Says
June 4, 2020 -- Santa Monica police did not expect the demonstrations and looting that swept through the city on Sunday, Police Chief Cynthia Renaud told the Lookout, adding that there was "no specific or credible information that there was a threat to the city."
Police Faced "Terrible Dilemma" During Looting Rampage, Mayor Says
June 4, 2020 --- In his first public exchange since violence erupted in Santa Monica Sunday, Mayor Kevin McKeown defended the Police Department's decision not to confront those who looted Downtown stores.
LETTERS -- Where Were the Cops?
June 3, 2020 -- The looters had a plan; the cops didn’t. They were confronting protesters on Ocean Avenue who were legally rallying while scores of looters scoured stores then poured the stolen goods into waiting vehicles.
LETTERS -- Home Ownership is the Only True Solution
June 3, 2020 -- There is no substitute for hard work; there is no substitute from merit-based performance. Let's keep building our confidence and grow our nation's love and strength.
Santa Monica Public Library Announces Reopening Plans
June 3, 2020 -- The Santa Monica Public Library on Wednesday announced plans to safely re-open some of its facilities during the ongoing coronavirus emergency.
Santa Monica Imposes Curfew Wednesday Night
June 3, 2020 -- For the fifth straight night, Santa Monica imposed a curfew Wednesday as the city recovers from looting and sporadic violence that erupted Sunday as thousands of protesters descended on the city.
Santa Monica Sees Weekly Spike in Coronavisus Cases
June 2, 2020 -- There were 27 new cases of the coronavirus confirmed in Santa Monica last week, up from a record low eight cases the previous week, according to data from the Los Angeles County Health Department.
More Than 150 Santa Monica Businesses Report "Significant Damage" from Sunday's Violence
June 2, 2020 -- More than 150 local businesses sustained "significant damage" during a spree of looting and violence that made Santa Monica a focal point during nationwide protests on Sunday.
Petition Circulates to Recall Santa Monica Police Chief After Rampant Looting
June 1, 2020 -- A petition to remove Santa Monica Police Chief Cynthia Renaud had garnered more than 11,000 signatures by 3 p.m. Tuesday, less than two days after bands of looters began sweeping freely through the city's Downtown meeting no resistance from law enforcement.
Santa Monica Demonstration Turns Violent, Looters Ransack Stores
June 1, 2020 -- Protests over the killing of George Floyd turned violent in Santa Monica on Sunday, as looters ransacked stores, demonstrators faced off with police and fires were set in different parts of the city.
Santa Monica Curfew Takes Effect Tonight
May 30, 2020 -- Following the City of Los Angeles' lead, Santa Monica imposed a curfew Saturday from 8 p.m. until 5:30 a.m. Sunday to ensure public safety, as violent protests spread in the region and across the nation.
Santa Monica Lifts Ban on Dining Out, Getting a Haircut
May 29, 2020 -- For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic hit Santa Monica two and a half months ago, customers can get their hair cut at local salons and barbershops, and diners can enjoy a sit-down meal at local restaurants.
Santa Monica Coronavirus Cases Continue Slowing Trend
May 29, 2020 -- Seven coronavirus cases have been reported in Santa Monica this week, furthering a slowing trend as houses of worship and offices reopen and stores allow customers inside.
One in Ten Santa Monica Rent Control Tenants Failed to Pay Full Rent Last Two Months, Survey Shows
May 28, 2020 -- As rent becomes due Monday, a survey found that approximately 10 percent of Santa Monica rent control tenants did not pay their full rent in April and May due to the coronavirus emergency.
OPINION -- Save Our Playgrounds, Save Santa Monica
May 28, 2020 -- Santa Monica needs to stop spending public funds on politically-driven campaigns that do not directly serve our small community. It’s time for a new Save Our Playgrounds campaign.
City Restores $6.4 Million in Budget Cuts; Free Playground Program, Crossing Guards Axed
May 27, 2020 -- The City Council on Tuesday approved $6.4 million to restore programs slashed after the coronavirus shutdown battered the local economy but did not include a popular free playground program and school crossing guards.
School District Seeking Applicants for Two Oversight Committees
May 27, 2020 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is seeking qualified candidates to serve on its Citizen's Bond Oversight and Financial Oversight committees.
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Petition to Hear Voting Rights Appeal
May 26, 2020 -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a petition to take up a case challenging the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) at the center of a districting lawsuit against Santa Monica.
Coronavirus Cases in Santa Monica Dropped to Record Low Level Last Week
May 26, 2020 -- There were eight new coronavirus cases confirmed in Santa Monica last week, the lowest weekly tally since the pandemic struck the beach city more than two months ago.
City Releases Plan to Restore Programs Slashed Due to Coronavirus Shutdown
May 22, 2020 -- Two major afterschool programs will be up and running, park recreational facilities restored and vulnerable renters will be assured of staying in their homes under City programs the Council is expected to restore Tuesday.
Man Shot During Reported Burglary at North of Montana Residence
May 22, 2020 -- A man was shot and injured during a reported burglary at an empty property in an upscale North of Montana Neighborhood Thursday night, Santa Monica police said.
SMC Distributes More Than $6 Million to Students Hardest Hit By COVID-19 Shutdown
May 21, 2020 -- Returning Santa Monica College (SMC) sophomore Joselyn Acosta is using her coronavirus relief money to turn her gas back on and pay her electric bill. She is one of an estimated 5,000 SMC students expected to qualify for $6.1 million in direct emergency funding.
Emergency Order Allows Select Boards and Commissions to Meet Remotely
May 20, 2020 -- The City on Tuesday issued a supplemental emergency order that allows specified appointed boards and commissions to resume limited meetings via teleconference.
OPINION -- A Time for Engagement
May 20, 2020 -- As we now see glimmers of hope in the first stages of phased reopening, our life as one community is equally visible. We must rebuild together, writes Interim City Manager Lane Dilg.
Rent Board Sets Annual Adjustment, Explores Freeze
May 20, 2020 -- The Santa Monica Rent Control Board asked staff on Thursday to explore the possibility of a rent freeze before voting to allow landlords to increase rents by 1.4 percent next month.
Emergency Rule Suspending Evictions Ripe for Abuse, Property Rights Firm Contends
May 19, 2020 -- A major property rights advocacy firm is seeking the repeal of an emergency rule suspending evictions in California, claiming it "creates the perverse incentive" for all tenants to refuse to pay rent.
LETTERS -- Property Owners Are SMRR's Next Target As Funding Dries Up
May 19, 2020 -- SMRR cannot stop spending money, and after they bleed the businesses and the apartment owners and hotel guests, the last group left are homeowners with money.
Claim Seeks Nearly $11 Million in Waived Interest on Behalf of Landlords
May 19, 2020 -- A claim filed on behalf of Santa Monica landlords is seeking $10.9 million in interest the City allegedly barred landlords from collecting on rent payments delayed by the impacts of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus Cases in Santa Monica Dipped Last Week
May 18, 2020 -- The number of coronavirus cases confirmed in Santa Monica dipped to 58 last week, five fewer than the previous week, while six patients of local nursing homes and three Santa Monica residents who had the virus died.
LETTERS -- Missing the Forest for the Trees
May 18, 2020 -- As our political leaders determine the best way to limit death from the coronavirus, they should give serious consideration to how many people will be killed by the quarantine.
LETTERS -- Enough Already with the Edicts
May 18, 2020 -- We do not need this continuing stream of non-scientifically based authoritarian edicts from politicians or bureaucrats.
Santa Monica Woman Arrested for Selling Unapproved COVID-19 Test Kits
May 15, 2020 -- A Santa Monica woman was arrested Tuesday for selling COVID-19 test kits that have not been approved by federal regulators, according to Los Angeles police.
Santa Monica Orders Residents to Wear Face Coverings Outdoors, Confirmed Cases at 224
May 14, 2020 -- Following the County's lead, all Santa Monica residents must wear cloth face coverings in public as the City on Thursday extended the coronavirus emergency and all associated orders to June 30.
Council Relaxes Business Requirements to Boost Economic Recovery
May 14, 2020 -- The City Council on Tuesday made it easier for small local businesses to open and reopen in Santa Monica's business districts after the coronavirus shutdown by loosening requirements.
Coronavirus Shutdown Forced Inevitable Cuts, Fiscal Expert Says
May 13, 2020 -- The sudden and drastic budget cuts the Santa Monica City Council is making were inevitable, even without a coronavirus shutdown, according to a prominent member of a disbanded citizen's budget advisory committee. |
