🌟 Santa Monica Weekly with Mayor Lana Negrete — November 24, 2025

This past Wednesday, I grabbed a shovel and joined Councilmembers Dan Hall and Ellis Raskin downtown to plant trees. Not for a photo op — for real- ok and also the city wanted a photo. We got our hands dirty alongside our Public Landscape Division crews as they kicked off the Realignment Plan's urban forest work, planting 37 new trees in empty tree wells along the Promenade blocks.

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I'm grateful for the people doing this work behind the scenes: our urban forest coordinator Robert Castaneda, the crews who've been prepping 403 tree wells, and every department head stepping up to deliver on the Realignment Plan. This newsletter covers what moved this week, why it matters, and where we're headed next.

🔹ICE OPERATIONS IN SANTA MONICA

Please note that the incidents that took place at Olympic and 11th where federal agents took individuals and appeared to be processing them in the Ralphs on Cloverfield parking lot was met with the Rapid Response Teams follow up. Those that were able to be identified and family members contacted have been connected with needed aid / assistance . Please also note that an unconfirmed rumor has been going around about ICE being at the ICE skating rink threatening to come back to get food truck vendors - we have no proof of that and that is just a rumor as of now. - I will keep you posted as always.

🏥 Public Safety & Community Resilience

🔹 Fire Department wrapped annual station inspections — Realignment rollout is front and center: SMFD Command Staff spent last week visiting every fire station, training facility, and shift crew for comprehensive annual inspections covering fleet, gear, and readiness. But this year's visits carried extra weight — crews used these inspections as forums to discuss the major Realignment initiatives coming in 2026.

→ 🚑 What's launching: The Ambulance Operator Program goes live in February, expanding EMS capacity and deployment efficiency.

*This means we are handling the majority of our Ambulance transports in house! It saves us and makes us money.

A second Advanced Provider Unit launches in January, strengthening alternative response. * This service is used for the majority of the homeless and street medicine / distress calls.

And we're assessing a regional, SMFD-led dispatch center to modernize tech and improve coordination across the Westside and South Bay.

Fire Homeless Data

→ 💡 Why it matters: These aren't theoretical plans — they're operational shifts that will improve response times, reduce unnecessary ER transports, and keep our firefighters deployed more effectively. As a mom, I want help to arrive fast and be the right kind of help.

👉 Learn about SMFD Emergency Medical Services

🔹 This week's response (Nov 13–19): SMFD handled 340 incidents, including weather-related calls during last week's storm — localized flooding, downed wires, and public assists. Shout-out to Truck 1 crew who worked through the night of November 14 clearing fallen limbs and cutting dangerous branches to keep streets safe. That's the professionalism and commitment that defines this department.

🚨 A HUGE shoutout to our firefighters who rescued a couple of  residents from an apartment fire on San Vicente this past Thursday!

→ 📊 By the numbers: 223 EMS calls (65.6%), 53 homelessness-related incidents, and 2 encampment fires. Fire Prevention completed 54 annual inspections and 23 alarm/sprinkler plan checks.

🔹 Community Connect outreach to seniors: SMFD staff attended the YMCA Healthy Aging Fair on November 17 to walk older residents through Community Connect — a free platform where you can securely share mobility needs, medical info, emergency contacts, and pet details so first responders arrive informed. For seniors, seconds matter. Many residents were surprised to learn how much faster and safer a response becomes when firefighters know about wheelchairs, medical equipment, or access challenges before they knock.

👉 Sign up for Community Connect

🔹 Police enforcement wins and data (Nov 9–15): SMPD handled 2,571 calls for service, addressed 20 encampments, and made 59 arrests (including warrants, theft rings, and serious felony offenders). Highlights include apprehending a federal probationer wanted for bank robbery on the beach, arresting a Tier 3 sex offender under the pier, and tracking a stolen commercial truck to Malibu after GPS-assisted pursuit. Traffic enforcement focused on school zones at John Adams Middle School and Santa Monica College, plus Off-Highway Motor Vehicle interdiction after community complaints.

Week of November 9 – November 15: By The Numbers

• 2,571 Calls for Service

• 1,265 Resident-Initiated; 1,306 Officer-Initiated
• 108,607 calls YTD

• 636 calls cleared as related to homelessness

• 28,541 calls YTD

• 20 encampments addressed

• 1,082 YTD

• 59 arrests (44 identified as homeless, 15 housed)

• 2,947 total arrests YTD, up 19.2% over the previous year

• Animal Control

• 39 calls for service dispatched
• 19 dogs and 39 cats currently in shelter care

Key Crime Suppression Incidents

 Homeless Response Incidents

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic enforcement efforts prioritized school zones around John Adams Middle School and Santa Monica College, as well as addressing community complaints regarding Off-Highway Motor Vehicles (OHMV).

→ ⚡ Why this matters: Perception is real, and feeling safe is a priority. High-visibility patrols in parks, downtown, and the beach aren't just activity for activity's sake — they're targeted enforcement addressing the issues you've asked us to tackle. Proactive policing is key to seeing safer streets.

💼 Economic Development & Downtown Revival

🔹 Trees, power-washing, and a downtown that's coming back to life: Last Wednesday's ceremonial tree planting kicked off a major phase of the Realignment Plan's urban forest investment. We're planting 37 new 36-inch-box trees in empty tree wells, comprehensively pruning mature Ficus corridors, and re-grading 403 tree wells to improve irrigation and stormwater management.

→ 🌳 What you'll see: Enhanced power-washing schedules, refreshed landscaping, improved lighting, and mobility upgrades — all layered into the Realignment Plan to support a cleaner, safer, more vibrant downtown. This isn't window dressing; it's the foundation for economic recovery. People return to places that feel cared for.

→ 🎯 My take: As a small-business owner, I know foot traffic follows trust. Clean streets, healthy trees, and well-lit corridors signal that a district is on the rise. This tree-planting moment signaled that the Realignment Plan is taking root — literally and figuratively.

PS - it’s going to happen across the city- it started with downtown and is moving outward!

👉 Read about the Realignment Plan

🔹 Community Development Department gearing up for Realignment execution: CDD held its quarterly all-staff meeting last week — the first led by new Director Jing Yeo. The meeting focused discussion on how Building Safety, City Planning, and Code Enforcement align with Realignment priorities.

→ 🏗️ What's ahead: Modernizing development review, elevating customer service, advancing housing production, strengthening code enforcement responsiveness, and preparing for state housing regulations and digital permitting modernization.

🔹New Business Activity In Santa Monica!

We continue to see encouraging signs of economic activity and new tenant interest across the city, with two notable additions opening their doors this month:

Joe & The Juice – Coming Soon to Pico & Cloverfield!

New signage is now up for Joe & The Juice (https://www.joejuice.com/) in the space adjacent to Whole Foods at Pico Boulevard and Cloverfield. The popular café brand – known for its fresh juices, smoothies, and sandwiches – will bring another lively, health-focused option to the neighborhood as they work toward opening.

Gacha & Catch – Now Open on the Promenade

(https://gachaandcatch.com/) celebrated its grand opening this weekend at 1451 Third Street Promenade, introducing a fun, interactive pop-up that features Japanese-style Gacha capsule machines and UFO Catchers (claw machines).

The concept is a collaboration between major global entertainment partners, including Mitsubishi, TOMY, and SEGA, adding a playful new experience to the Promenade for families, visitors, and fans of collectible pop culture.

These openings reflect the momentum we’re seeing…it takes time but next year we will continue to see more !

🔹 Big Blue Bus and MODE ridership — challenges and bright spots: October ridership data tells a mixed story. BBB fixed-route service provided just under 1 million rides in October — down about 4.3% year-over-year. Staff attributes the decline to heightened regional concerns from federal immigration enforcement and the new fare structure implemented in August.

→ 🚍 The bright spot: MODE (our on-demand shared-ride service for seniors and riders with disabilities) provided more than 5,000 rides in October — the first time we've hit that threshold since the pandemic! Year-to-date, MODE ridership is up 34%, signaling strong rebound in accessible mobility services.

→ 💡 What this means: Fixed-route ridership faces headwinds across the region — telework, shifting travel patterns, and federal enforcement concerns are real factors. But targeted mobility services are gaining momentum and delivering meaningful choices for vulnerable populations.

👉 Learn about Big Blue Bus and MODE

Boards & Commissions

Architectural Review Board – November 17 Wrap-Up At its November 17 meeting, the Architectural Review Board (ARB) reviewed the proposed 8-story, 147-unit housing project at 1320 Pico Boulevard, focusing on the building’s overall design, color palette, materials, and landscaping plan. Board members provided detailed feedback and requested design refinements, continuing the item to a future meeting for further review.

Planning Commission – November 19 Wrap-Up

At its November 19 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance intended to codify the modified development standards and requirements associated with ministerial subdivisions under SB 1123 and SB 684.

These State-driven changes were initially adopted by the City Council through an Emergency Ordinance to ensure compliance with new state law.

After receiving public comment and engaging in a detailed discussion, the Commission voted to continue the item to December 17, asking staff to conduct additional public outreach and further analysis before bringing the amendments back for consideration.

My Take : We need to slow down where we can, assess the housing vacancies we have and truly assess our infrastructure issues and the demographic we are building for before we keep putting more cranes in the air.

🎓 Education, Youth & Libraries

🔹 Library's LEAF program receives heartfelt gratitude: This week, our Library team received a moving thank-you card from an adult literacy learner who immigrated from Taiwan in 2017. She started in beginner ESL classes and, through persistence and partnership with LEAF tutors, built her skills and confidence. Today, she's a proud Taiwanese American citizen — and she credits the Library's resources as a meaningful part of that journey.

→ ⚡ Why this matters: Stories like this reflect the heart of our Library's mission — opening doors, empowering individuals, and supporting lifelong learning. This is exactly why our Realignment Plan includes expanding library services by reopening all of our branches.

👉 Learn about Library LEAF programs

🔹 ACEing Autism celebrates third season — youth-led, community-powered: Russell Ma, a senior at SamoHi and Boys Tennis team member, founded and led the local ACEing Autism tennis program — bringing autism-inclusive programming closer to home for families who previously faced long travel times. Since launching in Santa Monica, the program has delivered two six-week sessions, served 30+ participants, and engaged 45+ volunteers.

→ 🎾 What makes it special: Children on the autism spectrum learn tennis, build social connections, release energy, and enjoy sport on their own terms in a welcoming, structured environment. Russell's leadership — while still a student — deserves recognition. His initiative embodies our One SaMo value of putting people first.

👉 Learn about ACEing Autism Santa Monica

🔹 Artist Fellows hosted "The Porch" at the Beach House: Nearly 50 community members gathered at the Annenberg Community Beach House on November 13 for a thoughtful conversation with our 2025 Artist Fellows — Frances Anderton, Nicola Goode, and Jona Frank. They explored the idea of the "porch" as both a physical threshold and a symbolic space where stories are exchanged and community life unfolds, and reflected on "third places" — spaces beyond home and work where people gather and find belonging.

🔹 Native American Heritage Month screening at Pico Branch: In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, the Library hosted a special screening of The Exiles (1961) at the Pico Branch. Sequoyah Thiessen opened with remarks providing historical context on federal relocation policies that forced migration of Indigenous communities to urban centers.

🧡SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29th!

We hope that everyone will join us in supporting Santa Monica’s vibrant small-business community for Small Business Saturday, set to take place on Saturday, November 29, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.!  Businesses from across the city will be participating  in a coordinated event to highlight local shopping, deals, and neighborhood vitality!

Here’s how the day is planned to work in Santa Monica!  Participating businesses will be displaying orange balloons outside their storefronts as a visual marker for shoppers that they’re part of the event.  These businesses will be offering patrons special discounts, promotions or featured product offers throughout the day.

Businesses located in our key neighborhood commercial corridors – including Montana Avenue, Main Street, Pico Boulevard and the Third Street Promenade – are expected to take part. The event is aimed at bringing vitality to neighborhood commercial districts, increasing foot traffic for our independent merchants, and strengthening local community bonds.

So everyone mark your calendar and get set to support our Santa Monica business community by choosing to shop local on November 29 (and everyday!).

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

Our  Housing and Human Services  Department has partnered with the Westside Food Bank to launch a holiday-season food drive supporting neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

In support of this effort, donation boxes have been placed at key City facilities where community members and staff can drop off non-perishable food, pet food, diapers, baby formula, and other urgently needed items through the end of the calendar year.  Westside Food Bank’s guidance highlights high-priority staples such as cereal, pasta, beans, canned proteins, baby food, and shelf-stable milk.

Donation boxes can be found at the following City sites:

• City Hall and City Hall East – Lobbies

• Virginia Avenue Park – Park Center

• Santa Monica Public Safety Facility – Lobby

• Santa Monica Public Library – Main Library and Montana Avenue Branch

• Santa Monica Fire Stations – Stations 1, 2, 3, and 5

🏛️ Transparency & What I'm Watching

Last week, I attended the National League of Cities conference and heard leaders from across the political spectrum show what real collaboration looks like. Governor Spencer Cox of Utah (R) — grounded, pragmatic, committed to civility. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico (D) — bold, energetic, deeply values-driven. And Tim Shriver reminded us of Dr. King's words:

"Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Different states, different styles, same message: we rise higher when we lead with empathy, courage, and respect. As a mayor, that's the work I'm committed to every day — finding common ground, building trust, and fostering a community that believes in each other. Civility isn't just a buzzword; it's the foundation for getting real things done.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

🎄2025 Official City of Santa Monica Tree Lighting Ceremony!

December 4th 6-8pm

*Free Photos with Santa, Hot Cocoa, Holiday Performances, craft making and more !

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🎄Montana Avenue Merchants Association Annual holiday tree lighting ceremony

Saturday, December 6th at 6 pm.  Location:  MT Ave + 15th St.

🔹 Santa Monica's 150th Anniversary Grand Finale — Saturday, December 13 • 12:00–5:00 PM • Third Street Promenade: 

This free public festival brings together 3 blocks of the Promenade with live music, art activations, dancing (including salsa dancing with me! ), mega-mahjong, interactive installations, and family-friendly activities. It's the capstone moment of our 150th Anniversary campaign — honoring 150 years of history while launching the next chapter of Santa Monica's journey.

👉 Learn more at SantaMonica150.com

📱 Stay Connected

Got an issue to report? Want to make sure the city hears you?

👉 Report an Issue

If you haven't already, be sure to follow me on Instagram too for behind-the-scenes updates, event highlights, and my thoughts along the way as I continue to go on this journey with you.

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🌟 Grateful and Moving Forward

This Thanksgiving week, I'm grateful for crews who plant trees in the rain, firefighters who clear roads in storms, librarians who change lives one tutoring session at a time, and neighbors who show up to community conversations ready to listen and learn.

Leadership isn't about being perfect or having all the answers — it's about showing up honestly, doing the steady work that moves a city forward, and protecting the people and places that matter most. I'll keep listening, keep pressing for transparency and common-sense progress, and keep looping you in every step of the way.

Hit reply and tell me what you're seeing in your neighborhood — I read it all, and it shapes what I push for next.

Happy Thanksgiving, Santa Monica. 🧡

Together, we're building a Santa Monica that works for everyone — a city where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and community comes first.

With gratitude and determination,
Lana Negrete
Mayor, City of Santa Monica