S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
November 5 – November 11, 2021 Volume CXII, Issue 117
INSIDE
OVER 50 HOMELESS VETERANS TRANSITIONED INTO HOUSING, TREATMENT FROM SAN VICENTE ENCAMPMENT PAGE 4
Santa Monica’s Chess Park Will Be Closed Due to Criminal Activity Recreations and Park Commission votes to shut down park for indefinite time By DoLorES QUIntana Santa Monica’s Chess Park, a relic of the days when playing chess games in a park was a popular pastime, will have its signature chess tables and benches removed and the park will be closed for an indefinite period to deal with the safety issues and criminal behavior that have plagued the park for years. The members of the Recreations and Park Commission have finally voted to take action to deal with the issues that the park has attracted to the neighborhood, as reported by the Santa Monica Daily Press. Commission Vice Chair Maryanne LaGuardia said, “They’ve already had stabbings, they’ve already had serious injuries, there is active prostitution going on right now. I think the best first step is to close it. I say that
with great reluctance, but I don’t know what else we can do.” Chess Park is located at 1652 Ocean Front Walk and is set on .29 acres of land, just to the east of the famed Santa Monica Pier and Carousel and slightly to the west of the equally famous Muscle Beach workout area. The centerpiece of the park is a life sized chess board with life sized chess pieces that can be checked out to play a game of human sized proportions. Each of the tables is set with anywhere from one to four chess boards to facilitate multiple games per table. It’s a remarkable setup for chess lovers and unfortunately, the unsavory behavior of local unhoused people with violence, sexual activity, mental breakdowns, and tables covered with their belongings has made it difficult for the park to be utilized for its intended purpose. “Chess Park has been a longstanding subject of discussion at the Recreation and Parks Commission. Commissioners have requested more police patrols, increased engagement from the Homeless Liaison Program and the installation of a blue light emergency call box. None of these changes materialized in an impactful manner,” said Recreation and Parks Chair Lori Brown.
Photo: Facebook (Tom Lackey)
Santa Monica’s Chess Park.
Nearby apartment building residents have not been happy with the conditions of the park and the element that the park has drawn
to the area.
Chess Park, see page 9
Santa Monica Sues Insurance Companies Over Child Abuse Settlements Expenses City claims insurance companies failed to pay over $100 million By DoLorES QUIntana anD Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica is suing half a dozen
insurance companies for alleged nonpayment of legal expenses totaling over $100 million related to claims brought against the City, stemming from one of the largest child molestation settlements in the nation’s history against a municipal employee. In an September 30 lawsuit, claiming
Insurance Companies, see page 4
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica City Hall.