S A N TA M O N I C A
INSIDE
SAMO Lacrosse Season Comes to an End
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
PAGE 9
May 3 – 9, 2019 Volume XXI, Issue 42
Terrorist Who Wanted to Carry Out SM Pier Attack Arrested Federal authorities arrest Mark Steven Domingo. By Sam Catanzaro Federal authorities have thwarted a major terrorist threat targeting various Southern California locations, including Santa Monica Pier, according to the Department of Justice. On Friday, April 26, 26-year-old Mark Steven Domingo of Reseda was arrested by federal authorities in connection to a terror plot to detonate a bomb with the intention of causing mass casualties. Domingo, a former U.S. Army infantryman who served in Afghanistan, had planned on detonating a bomb at a white supremacist rally this past weekend in Long Beach before he was arrested by the FBI. “Mr. Domingo said he wanted to kill Jews as they walked to synagogue. At other times he said he wanted to kill and target police officers, attack a military facility orx attack crowds at the Santa Monica Pier,” said Nick Hanna, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. According to federal authorities, Domingo is an ISIS sympathizer who was intent on targeting Jews, police, popular tourist destinations and Los Angeles freeways.
Domingo was arrested Friday night after receiving what he thought was a live bomb but was instead an inert explosive device delivered by an undercover law enforcement officer. The operation that led to the arrest of Domingo was part of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. According to the affidavit, Domingo had purchased three-inch nails to be used as shrapnel inside the bomb. The affidavit states that Domingo said he specifically bought threeinch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs. “Domingo, a former U.S. Army Infantryman, wanted to use improvised explosive devices against innocent civilians and he selected components that would make the bombs even more deadly to the victims he targeted,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers. “His arrest (Friday) mitigates the threat he posed to others in the Los Angeles community. I want to thank the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation and arrest.” It was an FBI undercover operative to which Domingo provide the nails to for use in the construction of the bomb, according to federal authorities. Domingo was placed under surveillance by federal authorities after pledging allegiance
Photo: Getty Images.
to ISIS and posting online rants concerning the killings of Muslims in New Zealand mosques last month. “At no time was the public in danger and there is currently no known threat to public safety. I’m very proud of the agents and officers assigned to the Joint Terrorism Task Force who diligently marshaled the resources of our law enforcement partners in a short period of time and in doing so, ensured the safety of Southern California residents,” Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
Photo: FBI .
Mark Steven Domingo was arrested for plotting to carry out terror attacks at various Southern California locations, including Santa Monica Pier.
Cutting Jobs, City Programming for City Budget Shortfall Possible end to Breeze Bike Share as part of cuts. By Cailley Chella
After decades of being financially in the green, the City of Santa Monica is forecasted to go into the red over the next decade as it pays off $448 million in unpaid pensions to the state. At a special Santa Monica City Council study session on Tuesday, April 30, City staff previewed the budget strategy for the next two years. The City predicts a lack in funding for the budget if they don’t reduce expenses. ”The City forecasts a budget shortfall to grow to between $34 and $47 million, driven largely by sharply rising pension costs and flattening revenues,” a press release distributed by the city reads.
TAX
Photo: Breeze Bike Share.
As the City of Santa Monica looks to pay off its pension liability, city staff is considering cutting or restructuring Breeze Bike Share.
California’s pension system has been in crisis ever since the Great Recession and now cities across the state are having to pay off their pension liability. The City of Santa Monica is looking to pay off this liability in 13 years rather than 30 years and save around $100 million in interest in the process.
In order to account for the increase in money being spent to pay off its pension liability, City staff is proposing a 2019-21 budget that would save $13.3 million, among other things, eliminate 29 jobs, restructure or eliminate the Breeze Bikeshare Program, end City subsidies for the Los Angeles Marathon and Twilight Concerts on Santa Monica Pier, charge an ambulance transport fee to non-residents, look at options for Out of School Time youth programs, reduce free parking downtown from 90 to 60 minutes and save $90,000 by ending radio broadcasts of council meetings on KCRW. At the meeting, reducing the operating hours for the Police Activities League (PAL), CREST and programs at Virginia Avenue Park was discussed, something Council Members like Greg Morena were wary about. “It’s really important that none of it goes away,” Morena said. “I’m probably alive because of PAL and Virginia Avenue Park.” As a way to generate funds, Councilmem-
ber Sue Himmelrich advocated introducing new taxes, including a vacancy tax for homes and stores. The City is trying a new tactic to develop the budget by basing it on six specific priorities: place & planet, safety, governance, community, health and economic opportunity. Councilmember McKeown expressed concern about the new strategy, saying he wants to make sure there is adequate public outreach. “This is a new way of crafting a budget that we as a city have never tried before,” McKeown said, adding, “I’m not sure how many cities have done this before, and I just want to make sure that we engage the public to every extent possible because otherwise we’re guessing and that’s a dangerous game.” But McKeown also said the public can’t make all the important decisions. “You and I have both been at this a while
BUDGET, see page 18
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