Santa Monica Mirror: Feb 14 - Feb 20, 2025

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones –

Here’s

What You Need to Know

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities

California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down on looting and impersonation of emergency personnel during wildfires and other natural disasters.

Assembly Bill 469 (AB 469), introduced by Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), and Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey), seeks to strengthen penalties for looting and fraudulent impersonation, close legal loopholes, and provide law enforcement with additional tools to protect communities in disaster zones. The legislation follows recent incidents in mandatory evacuation areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, where looters and individuals posing as first responders have been arrested.

“Individuals who put our firefighters at risk and prey on communities when they are at their most vulnerable must be held accountable,” Gabriel said in a statement. “This legislation will provide law enforcement with better tools to crack down on looting and impersonation and encourage criminals to think twice before engaging in such egregious conduct.”

The bill has received broad support from law enforcement and fire officials, including the California Professional

Firefighters, the California District Attorneys Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, Ventura County District Attorney Eric Nasarenko, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Hochman noted the urgency of the bill, stating that “there is zero tolerance for those seeking to exploit disasters through looting, arson, price gouging, and impersonation of first responders.”

He pledged to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent and called for making looting a felony.

If passed, the bill would:

• Allow prosecutors to seek stronger penalties for looting.

• Increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel, including firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, utility workers, and National Guard members.

• Close legal loopholes to protect fire-damaged structures and vehicles in evacuation zones.

• Ensure law enforcement can detain suspected looters and impersonators instead of issuing citations and releasing them.

• Extend protections beyond the immediate disaster response into the recovery and rebuilding phase.

The legislation responds to a growing number of looting cases following recent Southern California wildfires. Law enforcement reported multiple

arrests of individuals attempting to steal from evacuated homes. In one case, two people from Oregon were arrested for impersonating firefighters in the Palisades Fire evacuation zone.

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin emphasized the fear and confusion residents face during evacuations, stating that “as we rebuild communities devastated by wildfires, this legislation will help ensure safety and security within evacuation zones.”

Pacheco added that “no one should have

to choose between following evacuation orders and protecting their property. This bill sends a clear message: criminals will not be allowed to exploit Californians at their most vulnerable moments.”

If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, AB 469 would provide law enforcement with stronger tools to deter and prosecute criminal activity in evacuation areas, reinforcing California’s commitment to safeguarding communities during and after natural disasters.

Mysterious Death Near Santa Monica Shoreline, Police Investigating

SMPD Seeks

Information About Victim With Facial Trauma

The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death of a woman whose body was discovered near Lifeguard Tower 1550 along the Santa Monica shoreline early Monday morning.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers responded around 7 a.m. on Feb. 10 after city beach

maintenance personnel reported an unresponsive individual near the waterline.

Upon arrival, officers found a female victim inside a sleeping bag with visible trauma to her face. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.

The woman’s identity has not yet been determined, and the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, police said.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Peter Zamfirov at Peter.Zamfirov@santamonica. gov, Sergeant Alfonso Lozano at Alfonso. Lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.

Rescheduled 2024 Homeless Count Needs

More Volunteers on the Westside

Not Enough Volunteers to Successfully Count Unhoused Angelenos This Year

With the rescheduled dates for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count set for the evenings of Feb. 18, 19, and 20, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is calling for additional volunteers in the Westside area.

As the count approaches its third night on Feb. 20, there are still 332 volunteer slots open in areas including Brentwood, Culver City, Del Rey Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles, and Westwood.

Volunteers can register at count.lahsa.org to participate in the annual initiative, which provides critical data on homelessness throughout Los Angeles County.

“2024 was a year of profound change at LAHSA, and the Homeless Count results provided us with insightful information about the progress we made and the improvements we still need to make,” said Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, CEO

of LAHSA. “We need our friends and neighbors to come out and help us count again so we can continue to make impactful progress ending homelessness.”

The Homeless Count, conducted annually, mobilizes thousands of volunteers across the county’s 4,000 square miles. Volunteers travel in small groups to assigned census tracts, where they tally the number of unsheltered individuals, tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters.

LAHSA has introduced several updates to improve the volunteer experience and enhance the accuracy of the count:

• A single website now allows volunteers to create accounts, register, manage their participation, and access training.

• Volunteers who pre-register can electronically sign their liability waivers before arriving at deployment sites.

• A streamlined check-in process aims to reduce wait times at deployment sites.

• A new feature in the Homeless Count app will allow volunteers to track their travel path, ensuring complete coverage within assigned census tracts.

• Paper census tract maps have been redesigned with clearer street names and boundaries.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a biennial point-in-time count of individuals

experiencing homelessness. However, LAHSA has conducted the Homeless Count annually since 2016 to provide more consistent data. The findings help government agencies and policymakers determine where funding and resources can be most effectively allocated to combat homelessness.

Homeless Count Schedule:

• Tuesday, Feb. 18: San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys (SPA 2), Metro Los Angeles (SPA 4)

• Wednesday, Feb. 19: San Gabriel Valley (SPA 3), East Los Angeles (SPA 7)

• Thursday, Feb. 20: Antelope Valley

(SPA 1), West Los Angeles (SPA 5), South Los Angeles (SPA 6), South Bay/Harbor (SPA 8)

“The safety of our volunteers and unsheltered neighbors is vital,” said Kellum. “We are grateful for the flexibility and understanding of our partners and volunteers as we strive for a safe count.”

In addition to the general count, the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count also includes the Youth Count and the Housing Inventory Count.

For more information or to volunteer, visit count.lahsa.org.

SMMUSD Makes RainRelated Announcement About Malibu Schools This Week

Road Closures and Flood Warnings Force the School District’s Hand

All four public schools in Malibu will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 13, due to road closures and severe weather conditions, with a possible extension of the closure to Friday, Feb. 14, according to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District release of the latest letter from SMMUSD Superintendent, Dr. Antonio Shelton and Mr. Isaac Burgess, Executive Director, Malibu Pathway & Secondary Schools.

The affected schools include Webster Elementary, Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle, and Malibu High School. The district cited safety concerns due to planned closures of Malibu Canyon Road from Thursday, Feb. 13 at 1:00 a.m. through Friday, Feb. 14 at 6:00 p.m., along with ongoing closures of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Topanga Canyon. These closures will make it unsafe for staff and buses to reach the schools.

“We made the difficult decision to close our schools due to the safety risks posed by these road closures and anticipated severe weather,” said district officials in a statement. “We will provide an update on Thursday evening regarding the decision for Friday.”

The National Weather Service has

issued a Flash Flood Watch for Malibu from Thursday at 1 p.m. to Friday at 4:00 a.m., with heavy rainfall expected to impact recent burn areas from the Franklin and Palisades Fires. Officials warn of potential flash flooding and debris flows, which could pose life-threatening conditions.

The district outlined its school closure criteria, which include:

• Fewer than two major roads open in and out of Malibu

• Power or gas outages before the start of school

• Schools located in evacuation zones

• Unsafe school site conditions

• Hazardous air quality

• Particularly dangerous fire weather

• Advisories from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to stay off roads

• Non-functional communication systems during red flag warnings

The district acknowledged the challenges faced by families, students, and staff due to recent closures but emphasized that safety remains the top priority. School administrators and teachers will reach out to families with information on remote learning during the closure.

Community members are encouraged to monitor updates from the City of Malibu at https://malibucity.org/AlertCenter and listen to local Malibu radio station KBUU FM for the latest weather and safety information.

For additional weather updates, visit the National Weather Service at https://www. weather.gov/lox.

LIC #:1037437 | (310) 507-9849 | INFO@QUAKESTRONG.COM QUAKESTRONG.COM | 1213 SOUTH LA BREA AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90019

To Our Beloved Community,

As the winds settle and the fires subside, we find ourselves reflecting on the deep impact this disaster has had on all of us. For those of us who grew up in this city, these streets, neighborhoods, and beaches aren’t just familiar, they are part of who we are. We are friends and neighbors, sharing in both the beauty and the heartache of this place we call our community. When something like this happens, it shakes us to our core.

Seeing familiar places, homes, local shops, or a favorite spot for a quick meal, destroyed by fire is difficult to process. It’s a loss that feels personal, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead can feel overwhelming. But if there’s one thing that gives us hope, it’s the strength of our shared spirit and our willingness to come together in times of need.

Our work is centered around helping people where they live. In moments like these, it’s not just what we do, it’s how we can help. As the process of recovery begins, please know that you don’t have to face it alone. Together, we will rebuild not only the physical spaces we’ve lost but also the sense of community that makes this place so special.

We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the courageous first responders. Your bravery and selflessness in protecting us all is something we will never take for granted. Thank you for your tireless service.

This is where we belong, and we’re committed to standing with you through this journey of rebuilding and restoring what makes our community truly one of a kind.

With heartfelt solidarity, Quake Strong, Inc

(310) 507-9849 | INFO@QUAKESTRONG.COM | QUAKESTRONG.COM

Bring Back The Music

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

On January 28th, 2025, the City Council did a wise thing and agreed to continue the process, for 30 days, of negotiating an agreement to revitalize the abandoned Civic Center Auditorium. These negotiations had been moving forward for months (as expected for such a monumental endeavor) between the City of Santa Monica and the music consortium RPG (Revitalization Partners Group). That group was proposing to the City that it would enter into a longterm lease and provide the landmarked building with substantial improvements, including seismic upgrading, handicap accessibility, a modern sound system, acoustic and seating improvements, and other significant upgrades. When completed RPG would then operate it as a signature 21st century music venue.

This is a deal the City can’t and shouldn’t refuse. We now have a perfect storm for resurrecting this underperforming City asset. All the pieces are now in place to reactivate this building as a musical Mecca for the following reasons:

Location, location, location

This approximately 2500-seat 1958 auditorium is perfectly located as a

music destination. First, it is at the end of two significant transit arteries (the 10 freeway and the expo line) making it easy access for the entire 10 million-person metropolis. It is also just 20 minutes from LAX likewise making it easy access for visiting performing stars and their adoring fans. Second it is surrounded on three sides by seven adjacent major hotels, again providing easy accommodations for visitors and performers. Third, the City’s beach culture and known close by amenities (e.g., the Pier, the 3rd Street promenade, etc.) will enhance and improve the visitor’s and performers’ experience, adding to their desire to attend musical events here. Fourth, there are no nearby mid-size performing arts venues (the Broad Auditorium seats only 500 people). And finally, the High School’s Barnum Hall and Greek theater are nearby (but far enough away to avoid sound interference) so that simultaneous music events could occur in a music festival format, drawing a larger audience base. There is virtually no midsize music venue with all these significant advantages in the LA basin.

A credible partner

The City ran the Civic Auditorium for 55 years before it closed in 2013 because the City did not have a way to raise the millions of dollars ($50M to$150M were being discussed) to do all the necessary improvements. Also, the City did not have the staff and skill set to manage and

market a 21st-century music venue. After an extensive search and testing various alternatives, its taken a dozen years to find a credible partner who can manage such a turnaround for this important building. RPG is the best and probably only credible partner that the City can find. RPG are a demonstrably successful music team that has years of experience in revitalizing old venues for new music uses. As an example of their capabilities, while two of their principals lost their homes in the Palisades Fire in just two weeks, they still managed to stage Fire Aid, a dual-venue televised fundraising extravaganza that raised $100 million and counting for the victims of the fire. Such civic spirit, combined with decades of connections with hundreds of performers, even at a time of grievous personal loss, is an incredible testament to their qualifications and stamina needed for this project. We are fortunate to have

them onboard.

A significant landmark

If the building has so many expensive deficiencies, why not just tear it down and sell the land? The City is broke and needs the money so why not just cash out now? Such an approach would make sense if this was, for example, just an ordinary warehouse or office building in some forgotten corner of the City, but this highly visible building has one of the most distinguished pedigrees of any building in Santa Monica. There are 6 criteria for a landmark in Santa Monica, but a building qualifies as a landmark if it meets only one of the criteria. Most buildings meet only one or two criteria. However, this building checks ALL six of the boxes: 1. It signifies an important cultural element of the City: Hundreds of important cultural icons and groups played here, from Frank Sinatra to the Supremes, to

the Beach Boys, to U2, to Billy Joel, to the Rolling Stones, to Ella Fitzgerald, to Bruce Springsteen, to Prince, the list goes on and on and on. If you saw the entire list of all music stars that have performed here it would blow your mind.

2. It has artistic or aesthetic value: while a simple overall shape, the detailing and shape of the dynamic front spires, canopy, and screen wall capture the exuberance and optimism of midcentury modern architecture.

3. It is identified with historic events or personages (see item#1 above): in the early sixties, this building, among its many roles, hosted the Academy Awards: it was the sexiest auditorium in the late ’50s and early ‘60s to have such a signature event. It also symbolizes a boom period of Santa Monica’s history when we could still invest in symbolic and real support for the arts.

4. It is valuable for the study of architectural trends, construction methods, aesthetic considerations of its time: the movable stage was revolutionary and was a significant multipurpose element, the entrance esplanade had a distinctive 50’s reflective pool (now covered), and the sculpted swooping side and arched roof are also symbolic (and low cost) ways of trying to break out of the box which has finally been fully achieved by subsequent architects like Frank Gehry among others.

5. It is associated with a famous architect, Welton Becket’ (1902-1969), whose firm is the architect of record for auditorium, and he lived for a time in Santa Monica. His assistant Louis Naidorf was still alive last year at age 96 and worked

on the auditorium as chief architect. Becket’s firm designed countless buildings, including the futuristic Theme Restaurant at LAX, the Capital Records Building in Hollywood (the first circular office building), the Mark Taper Forum, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion etc., etc. At its time, Becket and Associates was one of the largest architectural firms in the world.

6. It is a unique location and an established visual feature: it’s a cultural icon facing down its commercial counterpart, Santa Monica Place, at the other end of Main Street. It maintains pride of place anchoring confidently the South corner of our public Civic Center Complex.

Because it is such a super qualified distinguished landmark for our City, it is not surprising that it is also a Nationally Registered Landmark which brings with it potential tax advantages for the renovation process. This is an architectural gem of value not just to Santa Monica but to our whole country.

A beloved Icon

Everyone who has lived in Santa Monica for any length of time has some connection to this building. If you love live music, you may have had the awesome experience of seeing one or many of your stars perform there. If you were a music student in the public schools’ music programs, you might played in the annual school musician extravaganza called Stairway to the Stars. If you loved sports, you might have seen the American Fencing National championships there. If you loved cats, you might have gone to

a cat show there. If you were interested in ecology, you might have browsed at an ecological products fair there. If you were interested in going to college, you might have attended a college fair in this auditorium. If you were interested in Civic issues, you might have participated in a meeting or workshop in the meeting rooms next to the main hall (while the main hall was closed for seismic reasons, the adjacent meeting rooms was considered seismically safe for use in the last 12 years). In other words, everyone has had an important experience of this building in its countless capacities. By providing so many rewarding experiences to so many for two-thirds of a century, it has become beloved by virtually all its visitors and residents. To lose this building would obliterate all those positive memories. Too valuable to abandon

Some say the City is too poor to rehabilitate this cultural asset. That’s the beauty of the RPG proposal: the City does not have to pony up any money for the rehab since the RPG is funding the entire rehab. But even with no cash investment today, the City will still get all the longterm benefits of increased parking fees, sales taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, business taxes, and advertising value from the increased business activity of having a functioning iconic music venue in its center. Those who are considering selling the land and demolishing it (if at all legal) would have to consider not just the irreparable loss of this icon but also the destructive impact to all landmarks, as they now would be all consequently endangered. Destroying a nationally

registered landmark when a viable path for its rehabilitation is already here would be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and will make Santa Monica a cultural pariah. The resurrection of the Civic Auditorium is supported by many individuals and groups, including but not limited to Save the Civic and the Santa Monica Conservancy.

So this is a significant local and national landmark, at a great location, with a credible rehabilitation partner, and beloved by all: it is now time for the City Council to finish the job ASAP: conclude the negotiations with RPG and start the process envisioned in the negotiated agreement to bring the Civic back to life. We are so close to giving this building a new life. Now is not the time to vacillate: It is time to Bring Back the Music

You can contact your City Council members individually to advocate for this issue at https://www.smgov.net/departments/ council/content.aspx?id=13705

By Mario Fonda-Bonardi

S.M.a.r.t Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Jack Hillbrand AIA Architect & Landmarks Commissioner, Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner, Mario FondaBonardi AIA Phil Brock former mayor &, Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE.

For previous articles, see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

Community Protest and Petition Against Controversial EPA Plan For Hazardous Waste Site

Residents Push Back Against a Proposed Hazardous Waste Site

Near the Shoreline

Protesters marched against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to use the Will Rogers State Beach parking lot as a hazardous waste processing site for debris from the Palisades Fire on Sunday.

The EPA, which is tasked with removing hazardous materials such as batteries, propane tanks, paint, and pesticides from wildfire zones, is currently storing debris at three different locations. The agency has deployed approximately 1,200 workers across the Palisades and Eaton fire areas to assist with cleanup efforts.

In an online petition organized by concerned residents, the organizers said, “Malibu Said No—Why Can’t We?” It goes on to say the decision is “not only short-sighted but also a significant risk to public health, our ecosystem, and local economy.”

While officials say the site is necessary

to facilitate debris removal before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can begin clearing ash and structural remains, local residents argue that storing toxic waste so close to the shoreline poses unacceptable risks.

The petition states, “To store, even temporarily, the remnants of catastrophe at the fragile boundary of land and sea is to invite irreversible damage. Wildfire debris isn’t just ash—it’s poison. Asbestos, heavy metals, dioxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) will not remain contained. Our beaches are already suffering from post-fire trauma, presenting serious risks to public health.”

The petition further warns that toxic contaminants from wildfire debris could leach into the soil and waterways and that onshore winds could carry hazardous particulates, potentially compromising air

quality.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park has urged the EPA to consider locating the processing site in an area already impacted by the fires. However, agency officials say such an option is not feasible.

“There’s not a lot of flat space in the Palisades and in Malibu, especially in the Palisades Fire area compared to the Eaton Fire,” EPA Deputy Incident Commander

Karl Banks said during a town hall meeting Thursday. “We understand this is a sensitive issue, and we recognize people’s concerns. But all I can say is that we create a controlled environment.”

EPA officials maintain that fears of contamination along the coast are unfounded and emphasize that safety protocols will be in place. The agency aims to begin construction of the processing site as soon as possible.

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